GAME NOTES: The title in the annual Rainbow Classic is up for grabs as the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors entertain the High Point Panthers in non-conference play at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Panthers, members of the Big South Conference, kicked off their 2014-15 campaign in Honolulu Friday with an incredible 100-99 victory over Cal State Bakersfield in four overtimes to get the ball rolling. On Saturday, the team had a much easier time of it versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff as it claimed a 74-62 victory in order to advance to the championship game against host Hawaii.

The Rainbow Warriors, who don't hit the mainland for another week when they take part in the Gulf Coast Showcase in Florida, also had an easy time of it versus Pine Bluff in the opener, 85-57, and then took out Bakersfield on Saturday by a final of 72-65.

The hosts of this 50th annual tournament are under the direction of head coach Benjy Taylor who took over just weeks before the season began after Gib Arnold was asked to leave.

This is the first-ever meeting between the programs.

After being stretched to the limit in the opener by Bakersfield, the Panthers had a relatively easy time of it over the weekend as they shot 53.2 percent from the field in order to combat 16 turnovers in a double-digit victory. John Brown offset his five turnovers by posting 19 points, followed by Brian Richardson and Lorenzo Cugini with 16 and 14 points, respectively.

After two games Devante Wallace, who shot only 3-of-11 from the floor and missed all six of his 3-point tries versus Pine Bluff and finished with only eight points, paces High Point with 20.0 ppg, while Brown checks in with 19.0 ppg on the strength of his 63.6 percent accuracy from the field. Richardson has accounted for 16.0 ppg, while Adam Weary (8.5 ppg) has handed out nine of the unit's 27 assists.

The Rainbow Warriors got off to a slow start against Bakersfield, converting a total of just 10 field goals in the first half, but it all turned around following intermission. Granted, Hawaii connected on only 11 baskets from the floor in the second half, but the team feasted at the free-throw line (19- of-26), compared to the visitors who made good on 3-of-4 at the charity stripe.

Roderick Bobbitt hit all nine of his chances at the free-throw line as he finished with 16 points and seven of the team's 14 assists, followed by Negus Webster-Chan with 15 points. Garrett Nevels and Stefan Jovanovic contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, as well.

Shooting 12-of-17 from the field through the first two games, Aaron Valdes leads the offensive attack for the Rainbow Warriors with his 17.0 ppg, followed by Webster-Chan (15.5 ppg) and Bobbitt (13.5 ppg) as the team shoots 45.6 percent from the field and has held the first two foes to a mere 37.4 percent accuracy.

Being at home while opponents have to go to great lengths to travel to Honolulu is something that Hawaii certainly takes advantage of and should again in this tournament title tilt versus High Point.