Hawaiʻi to Face Pittsburgh at War Memorial Friday

The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team will play Pittsburgh on Friday, beginning at 7 p.m., at War Memorial Gymnasium. Photo by UH Athletics / Jordan Fong.

The MauiNow Staff

The University of Hawaiʻi men’s basketball team will face Pittsburgh on Friday night at War Memorial Gymnasium, marking the fifth-straight year that the Rainbow Warriors will play a regular-season game on the Neighbor Islands.

Hawaiʻi’s busy week starts tonight when it hosts UH-Hilo at the Stan Sheriff Center, before making the trip to the Valley Isle. Both games will tip-off at 7 p.m.

UH is fresh off a successful opening weekend to the season, winning two of three games and a runner-up finish at the Outrigger Resorts Rainbow Classic.

High Point University denied Hawaiʻi its bid for the Rainbow Classic title, 62-54, using a 19-2 second-half run to beat the Bows in a midnight contest and nationally-televised blackout game.

Hawaii’s Mike Thomas scored all of his team-high 14 points in the first half against High Point University. Photo by UH Athletics / Jordan Fong.

Pitt comes into the game with a 2-0 record and are coached by former Hawaiʻi assistant Jamie Dixon. Dixon coached under Riley Wallace from 1992-94 before later beginning a successful tenure with the Panthers.

Hawaiʻi is 2-1 all-time against Pittsburgh. UH is a perfect 5-0 versus UH-Hilo and welcomes the Vulcans to the Stan Sheriff Center for the second straight season. The ‘Bows beat the Vulcans last season, 114-63, on Nov. 21

UH defeated Chaminade on Kauaʻi last year, 98-84. The ‘Bows also beat Chicago State and North Carolina A&T on Maui in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Game 4 & 5 Notes

Who: Hawaiʻi (2-1, 0-0 Big West) vs. UH-Hilo (1-1, 2-0 PacWest), Pittsburgh (2-0, 0-0 ACC).

When: Wed., Nov. 19 and Fri., Nov. 21.

Times: 7 p.m.; Doors open at 6 p.m. Autograph signing to follow game.

Where: Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu) and War Memorial Gym (Wailuku).

Tickets: $25 adult; $10 age 4 to high school; $10 UH student with ID; Advance tickets can be purchased at Pacific Media Group.

Radio: Live on ESPN 1420 AM with Gary Dickman and Jeff Portnoy. On Maui, live on ESPN 900 AM.

Audio Webcast: Live audio streaming on espn1420am.com.