One night before Halloween, the University of Hawaii men's basketball team got a little scare put into it.

The Rainbow Warriors defeated Hawaii-Hilo, 76-65, in a closer-than-expected exhibition game.

A crowd of 2,363 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the NCAA Division I 'Bows rally from a five-point deficit early in the second half to defeat the NCAA Division II Vulcans.

The 'Bows were behind with 10 minutes remaining, and never built a double-digit lead until the closing seconds.

"Obviously, we wanted to come out and have a little bit better showing, but we got the win tonight and that's all that matters," senior forward Bill Amis said.

UH-Mänoa head coach Bob Nash said: "We got the win and it's better than a loss."

Unfortunately for the 'Bows — and Amis — the final result and statistics will not count for either team.

Amis finished with 27 points on 12-of-16 shooting, and also had 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. The point and rebound totals would have been career bests for the 6-foot-9 forward.

"I worked hard in the offseason and it is just an exhibition game but hopefully I can keep playing well and help the team into the season," he said.

Junior point guard Hiram Thompson contributed 19 points, five rebounds and four assists, and played a game-high 37 minutes. He shot 3 of 12 from the field, but went 11 of 12 on free throws.

"Didn't shoot a great percentage, but I think he was aggressive," Nash said of Thompson. "And that's what we want to see out him, being very aggressive."

Roderick Flemings, the top returning player from last season's 13-17 team, scored 14 points, but had to sit out the final five minutes after he appeared to aggravate a groin injury.

"I told him the first time he felt like it was starting to run down and he was starting to have any discomfort, let me know and we'll get him out of there," Nash said.

UH-Mänoa's three new recruits — guards Jeremy Lay, Dwain Williams and center Douglas Kurtz — sat out with injuries. Senior forward Brandon Adams also sat out with an ankle injury.

Thompson said the 'Bows should be a much-improved team once the injured players join the rotation.

"I was getting tired there at the end, but once we get those guards back, we'll be able to share the load a little bit," he said.

UH-Hilo led by as many as five (31-26) in the first half, but the 'Bows closed the half with an 8-3 run to tie it at 34 at intermission.

The game stayed close early in the second half, with the lead changing seven times. The Vulcans led 39-34 early in the second half before UH-Mänoa seized control with its size.

The 'Bows took the lead for good at 58-56 on two free throws by Thompson with 9:01 remaining. They pushed the lead to 68-60 with 5:15 remaining and then held off the scrappy Vulcans.

"I am satisfied with the competitiveness," UH-Hilo head coach Jeff Law said. "When it got really tight and everything, we kind of let our tails fly up a little bit. Overall, the way we competed, being out-sized and the strength they had, I'm satisfied with that."

Justin Smith led UH-Hilo with 19 points. The Vulcans, whose tallest player is 6-7, got out-rebounded 44-34.

The 'Bows will play another exhibition game on Thursday when they host Brigham Young-Hawaii. The Seasiders are ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II.