If last night was any indication, the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team could have an exciting season ahead.

The Rainbow Warriors exhibited near-flawless execution in a 110-55 romp over Hawai'i-Hilo in an exhibition game.

A crowd of 2,322 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the 'Bows run and gun their way in a game that was never close.

"We got everything, all the parts you look for in a team," senior co-captain Julian Sensley said. "We got shooters, high-flyers, shot blockers, good point guards. When one team takes away one thing, we're able to execute another."

Unfortunately for the 'Bows and fortunately for the Vulcans, the result of the game and the statistics will not count. But it was still a night to remember for the 'Bows.

Six UH-Manoa players scored in double-figures: "Big Matt" Gipson had 18, Ahmet Gueye 16, "Little Matt" Gibson 14, Sensley 14, Matt Lojeski 12 and Dominic Waters 10. All 12 'Bows in uniform saw action, and 10 of them scored.

"We learned a lot tonight of what our guys are like," UH-Manoa head coach Riley Wallace said. "When you're in a running game like we're trying to push it now, you can't drop your head because we'll score two or three shots on you."

If the statistics counted, UH-Manoa's 110 points would have been the most it has ever scored in the Sheriff Center, and its 14 3-pointers would have tied a school record.

"It wasn't the size, it was their shooting," UH-Hilo head coach Jeff Law said of the 'Bows. "They just hit us hard early with the 3s. Offensively, they looked like mid-season form."

The 'Bows shot 57.5 percent from the field, while the Vulcans shot just 29.8 percent. UH-Manoa also passed for 30 assists and out-rebounded the shorter Vulcans, 50-26.

"I would have liked for (UH-Hilo) to stay in there," Wallace said. "I feel really bad about that for Jeff (Law)."

Gueye, one of five new recruits on this season's roster, grabbed a game-high nine rebounds and also made five highlight-reel blocked shots.

"I was just trying to work hard like the coaches told me to," said Gueye, a 6-foot-7 junior who started at center.

Sensley, who contributed seven rebounds, five assists and five steals, said: "Ahmet could be one of the best shot-blockers in the country if he continues to do what he's doing."

Gipson, a 6-9 senior who started at power forward, shot 8 of 10 from the field and also grabbed six rebounds.

"It's just about confidence and freedom," Gipson said. "I'm comfortable with the system. Last year was a rough year. I got in a hole and had some personal problems, but this year is a new year."

The game was tied at 4 in the opening minutes, but the 'Bows then went on a 22-3 run to take a 26-7 lead with 13:36 remaining in the half. Gueye and Lojeski combined to score 14 points during the surge.

"It was very difficult for them to stay with us as hot as we were early," Wallace said.

The Vulcans never got closer than 17 after that.

UH-Hilo may have suffered an even more significant loss when starting forward Joe Travis left the game with 10:33 remaining in the first half with a dislocated left ankle.

Travis, who redshirted last season because of a knee injury, is expected to be out for at least six weeks.

"He's one of the better players in the conference, no doubt about that," Law said. "Hopefully, he'll be able to come back some time around Christmas."

Once Travis left the game, it really turned into a rout.

By halftime, UH-Manoa had a 63-23 lead, and four 'Bows were already in double-figure points: Gibson (14), Lojeski (12), Gipson (12) and Gueye (10).

The smaller Vulcans played a zone defense during the first half, and the 'Bows responded by hitting 10 of 18 3-point shots in the half. Gibson came off the bench to make four 3-pointers in the first half.

Seven different 'Bows made 3-pointers, and they finished 14 for 25 for the game (56 percent) from long range.

The 'Bows increased the lead to as much as 56 in the second half, even with the reserves on the court for most of the way.

Justin Griffin led the Vulcans with 20 points.

"I don't think we ever quit," Law said. "We just couldn't get a lot of stuff done. That's a credit to them, and not saying a whole heck of a lot for us."

UH-Manoa will play its season-opener next Saturday against No. 4 Michigan State at the Sheriff Center.

The Vulcans, who advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament last season, departed Honolulu last night for California. They will open the season on Tuesday at Cal State Chico.

NOTES

The Western Athletic Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament will be played in Las Cruces, N.M., in 2007 and 2008, the conference announced yesterday. All of the games will be played in New Mexico State's 13,071-seat Pan American Center. This season's WAC Tournament will be played at Reno, Nev.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.