By Kennedy Choo

With 19:35 left in the first half and the score tied at 0-0, graduate guard Dre Bullock took the inbounds pass as Cal State Bakersfield set up a full-court press, looking to force an early turnover against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors.

Bullock read it instantly. He blew past the pressure with a speed dribble, leaving multiple Roadrunner defenders behind. Seeing a clear lane to the basket, Bullock attacked the paint and threw down a vicious tomahawk slam, igniting the crowd and opening the scoring for Hawai‘i.

The dunk set the tone for the night, fitting for an evening that would mark a major milestone in Bullock’s collegiate career, as he led the Rainbow Warriors to a dominant 98–71 win over Cal State Bakersfield (8-13, 2-7 Big West), bouncing back after a loss at UC Santa Barbara.

“Luckily, with the loss, we were still the No. 1 seed,” Bullock said. “We know everybody is going to bring their best against us.”

Bullock finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and three steals to lead the Rainbow Warriors.

The win also marked a significant milestone for Bullock. With 15:20 left in the second half, he caught a kick-out pass from senior center Isaac Johnson on the left wing and buried a 3-pointer, surpassing 1,000 career points — an achievement reached by only a handful of college basketball players.

Bullock’s journey has taken him through three NCAA Division I programs and two junior colleges, and he finally crossed the 1,000-point mark in the islands, a rarity for a player who has had to adjust to multiple systems and roles throughout his career.

“It’s definitely a blessing,” Bullock said.

Despite the transfers, Bullock feels he is playing the best basketball of his career in his final season in Mānoa.

“This is probably the best fit, the best year I’m having,” Bullock said. “It’s the most I’ve won here.”

“I wish I could’ve coached him longer,” head coach Eran Ganot said. “He’s had a heck of a journey. He’s earned the right to be where he is right now.”

Along with Bullock, junior guard Zay Kerr scored a career-high 16 points off the bench, going 5-for-9 from the field and 1-for-4 from 3-point range.

“The more I play, the more comfortable I feel,” Kerr said.

Kerr saw increased playing time filling in for sophomore point guard Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, who suffered a left foot injury in practice the day before.

“Coach G’s model is the next man, every man,” Kerr said. “We have such a deep team. Every guy is capable of playing and stepping up.”

The Rainbow Warriors (14-4, 6-2 Big West) next face Cal State Northridge at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Photos: Alec Tuason