Valdez has 28 points and 9 rebounds, Hawaii runs away from Ark.-Pine Bluff 85-57
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Aaron Valdez had 28 points and nine rebounds on Friday night, and Hawaii ran away from Arkansas-Pine Bluff for an 85-57 win in the season opener for both teams.
Hawaii led 33-32 at halftime before Valdez scored 11 points in the first five minutes of the second to edge the Warriors ahead 49-37.
The Warriors continued to roll, scoring 21 straight points, leading by as much as 30 and shooting 20 of 34 in the second half.
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Valdez finished 11 of 15 from the floor and 2 of 3 from 3-point range. Negus Webster-Chan added 16 points and eight rebounds, and Garrett Nevels and Roderick Bobbitt added 11 apiece.
Marcel Mosley led the Golden Lions with 18 points. Jovaughn Love had 15 points and Ghiavonni Robinson added 11.
Hawaii coach Benjy Taylor won his debut after being named the acting head coach on Oct. 31.