Forward Zigmars Raimo propelled the Hawaii basketball team to an 81-45 preseason victory over Hawaii Pacific tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The 6-foot-8 junior from Latvia scored 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting from the field, grabbed eight rebounds and had four assists. His scoring total topped his career high, but stats did not officially count in the exhibition.

UH, which went 17-13 last season (8-8 Big West), turned to Raimo, a reserve the last two seasons, to spark the team to a 20-point lead before halftime.

Newcomer Eddie Stansberry added 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting, senior Jack Purchase had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and point guard Brocke Stepteau had 10 points and four assists.

The Rainbows shot around 60 percent most of the way and committed only nine turnovers.

Division II HPU was recently picked to finish fifth in the PacWest Conference. Forward Jonathan Janssen, the PacWest preseason player of the year, scored nine points with four turnovers.

HPU got within 14 points early in the second half, but UH went back to Raimo for two baskets. Stansberry and Purchase dialed up 3s during a 25-2 run that pushed the lead to 73-36.

The Rainbows open the regular season Nov. 9 against Portland in the Outrigger Rainbow Classic.