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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 7:16 p.m., Saturday, February 7, 2009

UH hammers Idaho in men's hoops

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kareem Nitoto drives against Idaho's Terrence Simmons.

NORMAN SHAPIRO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Kareem Nitoto scored a career-high 21 points to lead the University of Hawaii men's basketball team to a 71-49 victory over Idaho tonight.

A crowd of 3,475 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the Rainbow Warriors avenge a 20-point loss at Idaho last month.

The 'Bows improved to 12-11 overall and 4-7 in the Western Athletic Conference with their second consecutive blowout. On Thursday, Hawaii defeated Fresno State by 26 points.

Idaho dropped to 10-12 overall and 4-5 in the WAC.

The 'Bows are alone in seventh place in the WAC, and are one game away from the fifth-place Vandals.

Nitoto, who entered the game averaging 5.8 points per game, shot 8 of 10 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range. He also grabbed six rebounds and had two assists.

Roderick Flemings added 16 points, including three highlight-reel dunks.

The 'Bows raced to an 8-0 lead to open the game and stayed in front the entire first half.

The Vandals cut it to 16-13 with 7:46 remaining, but Hawai'i closed the first half with a 12-4 run to take a 28-17 lead at halftime.

Lasha Parghalava, who did not play in Hawaii's 69-43 blowout of Fresno State on Thursday, scored seven points during the surge. He finished the game with 10 points.

Idaho did not make a field goal in the final 7:45 of the first half, and went 4 of 7 from the free-throw line during that stretch.

The 'Bows turned it into a rout with a 14-2 run early in the second half that made the score 47-24 with 10:53 remaining.

The Vandals never got closer than 20 the rest of the way.

Hawaii played without starting forward Bill Amis, who sat out with an injured ankle. The 6-foot-9 junior is second on the team in scoring with 10.7 points per game, and first in rebounding with 5.9 per game.

Marvin Jefferson led Idaho with 11 points. Mac Hopson, Idaho's top player, was held to a season-low five points on 2-of-8 shooting.

Hawaii finished the game with a season-high .568 field goal percentage, while holding Idaho to a .381 percentage. The 'Bows also out-rebounded the Vandals, 33-19.

Hawaii's next game is scheduled for Feb. 14 against Nevada at the Sheriff Center.