Big Fish’s double-double helps Hawai’i maul Manhattan

HONOLULU – Nights like these were exactly what Isaac Johnson envisioned when he entered the transfer portal.

The 7-foot senior center played his 82nd college game on Friday night, turning in a performance better than any of the previous 81 as he carried the University of Hawai’i to an 86-56 victory over Manhattan (2-2) with a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds.

“Big Fish” knocked down four 3-pointers and went 9-for-14 from the floor overall, breaking out his signature arm “chomp” celebration in the second half and firing up the crowd of more than 2,000 fans – many of whom mimicked the motion after his final triple of the night.

After playing a key role in Utah State’s 2024 NCAA Tournament run, Johnson saw his role change and a decline in playing time as the Aggies brought in a new coaching staff. The 7-footer’s minutes were sliced in half, so he entered the transfer portal with one season of eligibility remaining and a chip on his shoulder to prove himself once again.

“I didn’t play to the level that I think that I should have, with the fire that I should have,” Johnson reflected about his final season at USU. “By the end of the year, I felt disrespected and that I needed to come into a place and have some fire and show what I could do.”

The former four-star recruit flexed his high-level capability on Friday, stepping up for the Rainbow Warriors (3-1) on a night that saw captain Harry Rouhliadeff exit with an injury early and Hunter Erickson deal with foul trouble from the opening minutes.

“It’s cool to see these guys’ personalities come out,” said head coach Eran Ganot after Johnson’s big night. “I think his best is still coming. Like, the breakthroughs of playing more minutes and then performing in those minutes – I’m happy for him.”

Hawai’i started fast for the fourth straight game, zooming out to a 12-3 lead behind five quick points from both Dre Bullock and Harry Rouhliadeff. Manhattan was able to close the gap to four after a few sloppy turnovers from the Rainbow Warriors, but the hosts finished the half on an 18-8 run to head into the locker room up, 38-24.

Johnson provided the momentum push for UH in the second half, hammering down a left-handed putback dunk and slamming home an alley-oop from Aaron Hunkin-Claytor to energize the Stan Sheriff Center as the Rainbow Warriors extended the lead to 25 with 11:48 to play.

“I think it’s something fun that the kids and the rest of the crowd like,” Johnson said smiling when asked about the “Big Fish” chomp. “Hopefully we can make it a thing.”

The center stepped back outside the arc and drilled three more 3-pointers after his high-flying act, pushing Hawai’i’s advantage over 30 before exiting the game with new career highs, his second Rainbow Warrior double-double and a standing ovation from the crowd with 5:28 remaining.

Hawai’i closed out the win behind an aggressive Yacine Toumi, who finished with 10 points and five rebounds in 10 minutes of work before fouling out.

Ike Finlinson was the third and final Rainbow Warrior to score in double figures, posting 14 points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench as the 6-foot-8 sharpshooter knocked down a pair of threes and went 5-of-7 from the field overall.

Reserve guard Isaiah Kerr stepped up with nine points, three rebounds and strong perimeter defense in 26 minutes, helping UH limit Manhattan preseason all-MAAC first-team selection Devin Dinkins to six points on 2-of-8 shooting and four turnovers.

Hawai’i now faces its quickest turnaround between games this year, facing Utah Tech in less than 24 hours in hopes of winning the outright Rainbow Classic title for the second straight season. The Trailblazers eked out an 81-75 win in double overtime against Mississippi Valley State on Friday to move to 1-1 in the tournament.

Tip-off between UH and Utah Tech is set for 7 p.m. HT on Saturday, closing out the OUTRIGGER Rainbow Classic. The annual Coaches vs. Cancer mixer is also on Saturday and will be in the Ed Wong Hospitality Suite from 5:30-7:30 p.m. – additional information can be found HERE.