Hiram Thompson scored 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field and Hawaii caught fire in the second half to beat Montana State 77-59 Friday night in the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic.
It was the first game for Hawaii coach Gib Arnold and the season opener for both schools.
The game was tied 32-32 at halftime, but the Rainbow Warriors made 17 of 31 field-goal attempts in outscoring the Bobcats 45-27 in the second half.
Bo Barnes added 19 points and Josten Thomas had 18 for Hawaii, which led by as much as 75-51 with 4:23 remaining.
Arnold was hired at Hawaii in March to replace Bob Nash, who was fired after three seasons.
Bobby Howard scored 17 points and Erik Rush added 15 for Montana State, which led 23-15 with 8:15 left in the first half.
