The best part about last night's exhibition game for the University of Hawai'i-Manoa men's basketball team was that it didn't count.

Even though the Rainbow Warriors defeated Hawai'i-Hilo, 72-70, they were looking for a do-over.

"The game didn't go our way like we wanted to, but in the end I'm glad we won," Hawai'i junior Petras Balocka said. "I think we just need to go back in the gym and (practice) our game. Get everything situated and under control."

A crowd of 2,203 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the NCAA Division I 'Bows struggle throughout against the NCAA-II Vulcans.

The 'Bows relinquished a 14-point second-half lead, and trailed by one late in the game. What's more, the Vulcans had the final possession of the game, but John Smith missed an off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer.

"You have to give credit to Hilo. They came in with a solid game plan," Hawai'i head coach Bob Nash said. "They hit some 3s that kept them in the game. We just showed some inexperience at times — too many turnovers (17)."

The final result and statistics will not count for either team this season.

Balocka — one of Hawai'i's new recruits — led the 'Bows with 16 points. He also grabbed eight rebounds.

Bill Amis, the only returning starter from last season, added 15 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.

Hawai'i shot 40.9 percent from the field, including 14.3 percent (1 for 7) from 3-point range.

"We had some poor shot selection tonight and that showed," Amis said. "Other than that, I liked what I saw."

Hawai'i played without two significant newcomers — prized recruit Roderick Flemings and athletic forward Brandon Adams. Flemings is in Dallas for his grandfather's funeral; Adams is awaiting clearance on his request to cancel a redshirt season.

Nash also noted that sophomore point guard Hiram Thompson was limited to 12 minutes because he just returned to practice last week after sitting out with a hamstring injury and illness.

"Those are key players for us and if we get those guys in the rotation, then things change drastically," Nash said.

Last night, the 'Bows relied on their starting inside duo of Amis and Balocka. Amis is 6 feet 9 and 220 pounds; Balocka is 6-8 and 255.

The Vulcans did not have any players taller than 6-7.

"Right now, we're trying to get the ball inside," Nash said. "I thought Bill and Petras did a nice job inside."

Led by a combined 22 rebounds from Amis and Balocka, the 'Bows out-rebounded UH-Hilo, 44-30.

However, the post players contributed to the low shooting percentage, with Amis going 7 of 19 from the field and Balocka 7 of 18.

Adhar Mayen, a 6-8 junior forward, added 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and grabbed six rebounds.

Starting guards Kareem Nitoto and Lasha Parghalava added eight points each, although Parghalava shot just 1 of 7 from the field.

Nash also praised the reserve roles played by freshman guard Leroy Lutu Jr. and junior center Paul Campbell.

Lutu had five points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, and provided a spark in both halves. Campbell had nine points, and went 3 of 3 from the field and 3 of 3 on free throws.

The undersized Vulcans — who are picked to finish fourth in the seven-team Pacific West Conference — kept it close with a scrappy effort and 3-point shooting.

UH-Hilo went 10 of 23 from 3-point range, with forward Jay DeMaestri hitting four 3s.

"We are scrappy, and I hope we can be a good shooting team like we showed at times tonight," UH-Hilo head coach Jeff Law said. "We need to play like that to be a competitive team, whether it be against Manoa or anybody else on our schedule."

The 'Bows seemed to take control after a 10-2 run gave them a 67-53 lead with 7:49 remaining. But the Vulcans rallied behind DeMaestri, who is 6-6 and 240 pounds.

He gave the Vulcans a 68-67 lead with 3:12 remaining on a four-point play. He drained a 3-pointer, got fouled, then made the ensuing free throw. The only other time UH-Hilo had the lead was in the opening minutes of the game.

"DeMaestri is overweight and he thinks he's a guard, which is a mistake at his size," Law said. "But the good thing is other big guys have to guard him because he can step out and shoot it. He hit a couple big shots tonight."

DeMaestri finished with a game-high 21 points. After his four-point play, Hawai'i regained the lead on a jump shot by Mayen.

DeMaestri had another chance to tie the game, but he missed a free throw when the Vulcans were down 71-70 with 29.7 seconds left.

"We let them back in it with turnovers and sloppy play," Amis said. "It was good that we got this out of the way now."

The 'Bows will play another exhibition game on Friday against Chaminade, another team from the PacWest Conference.

"We're getting in the gym (today) and putting a lot of shots up," Amis said.