Two days before Christmas, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team came up with a defense that was too difficult for UC Riverside to unwrap.

As a result, the Rainbow Warriors got revenge as an early gift in the form of a 56-46 victory over the Highlanders last night.

A crowd of 3,690 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the 'Bows improve to 6-3 with their sixth consecutive home victory. The Highlanders, who upset Hawai'i last season at Riverside, Calif., dropped to 7-3.

Hawai'i relied mostly on a zone defense that limited UC Riverside to 28 percent shooting from the field (14-of-50), including a dismal 8.3 percent (1-of-12) from 3-point range.

"I thought the zone was big for us tonight," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said.

The 46 points was the fewest allowed by a Hawai'i team since 2006, when Oregon State scored 41.

"You just have to get ready, get down and get in defensive position and fight around the screens," said Hawai'i junior guard Roderick Flemings, who scored a game-high 16 points. "Just be tough."

The 'Bows' defensive effort was needed on a night when both teams struggled offensively. Hawai'i shot 37.8 percent from the field (14-of-37), including 16.7 percent (1-of-6) from 3-point range.

Hawai'i made up for it with free throws, going 27-of-33 (81.8 percent).

"When you're not shooting well, you get it inside and you're going to get to the free-throw line," Nash said. "Tonight we were able to get to the free-throw line, and to shoot 33 and make 27, that was a big bonus for us."

Flemings' 16 points included 10-of-13 shooting on free throws.

"This is probably the best I shot from the free-throw line all year," Flemings said. "Still missed three, but felt good."

Petras Balocka added 12 points and nine rebounds, and Adhar Mayen matched his career-high with 10 points for Hawai'i.

Last season, the Highlanders defeated the 'Bows, 79-62. Last night's game was a mandatory return trip for that game.

"Last year we had a lot of turnovers, and they just punked us, basically," Mayen said. "This time, we played real aggressive, strong with the ball."

Mayen started and played 33 minutes despite an injured finger on his shooting (right) hand. He was limited in the practices leading up to last night's game.

"He's a warrior, he wanted to play," Nash said. "To come back tonight and give us the kind of effort he did shows his willingness to do what ever it takes to help the team."

UC Riverside head coach Jim Wooldridge said his team's poor field-goal percentage was "a combination" of Hawai'i's aggressive defense and the Highlanders' cold shooters.

"It was a hard-fought game," Wooldridge said. "We obviously were not able to keep them off the free-throw line, and they generated just enough offense to beat us. We came up dry in moments when we really needed to score."

Hawai'i led virtually from start to finish, although the score was close throughout. The 'Bows' biggest lead of the game was 12, but the Highlanders were as close as six points with three minutes remaining.

"Being off eight days, we were a little rusty in our offensive sets," Nash said. "But when we needed to get baskets, I thought our guys did a good job of executing."

The 'Bows took a 25-20 lead at halftime, thanks in part to 13 of 14 shooting from the free-throw line in the first half.

Neither team made a field goal in the final 9:28 of the first half.

Hawai'i increased the lead to 41-29 midway through the second half, then held off the Highlanders the rest of the way.

Flemings sealed the win with a highlight-reel dunk with 1:04 remaining.

Kyle Austin led the Highlanders with 13 points, and Aaron Scott added 12.

It was Hawai'i's first game since Dec. 15. The 'Bows had last week off to concentrate on final examinations.

Hawai'i's next game is scheduled for Saturday against Colorado State on the opening night of the 45th annual Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic. The 'Bows will play three games in four days during the eight-team tournament.