There was a standing ovation by the grateful Stan Sheriff Center crowd ringing in Kareem Nitoto's ears as he left the floor with 2 minutes, 47 seconds left in the University of Hawai'i's eventual 71-49 basketball victory over Idaho.

There were a career-high 21 points on the scoreboard, appreciative high-fives by his Rainbow Warrior teammates and a heaping of well-earned praise from head coach Bob Nash.

And, then, there was a stiff shoulder nudge — with a brief glint of a smile behind it — from the night's adversary, Vandals' point guard Mac Hopson.

For a guy who had little to show for his last game against Idaho other than the stinging, head-down embarrassment of zero points in 21 minutes a month ago, there were a lot of ways for Nitoto to measure success and respect last night.

All brought smiles, but for the humble, understated sophomore guard you got the feeling the tap from Hopson, the Western Athletic Conference's premier point guard, resounded with special meaning. For one thing, Nitoto held Hopson, who had been averaging 16.9 points and six assists, to five and three, respectively. This after Hopson had gone for 14 and seven last time.

But this was about more than numbers. This was personal in a way that only competition between friends who have known each other since West Coast AAU days and trade phone calls can be.

"He (Hopson) got the best of me there, so I really wanted to come and get him tonight," Nitoto said. "I felt embarrassed that I didn't do anything for the team (at Idaho). I really felt like I let the team down. I just wanted to come out here and make up for it."

Indeed, if there was a poster player for UH's 42-point turn around from a 67-47 loser at Moscow to a 22-point victor last night, Nitoto was it.

The 12-11 (4-7 conference) 'Bows have a modest two-game winning streak going, but there has been nothing modest about Nitoto's contributions to it. In combined games against Fresno State and Idaho, the sophomore guard has made good on 14 of 18 field-goal attempts and scored 33 points.

Last night's performance was especially well-timed coming as it did with Bill Amis, the 'Bows' second- leading scorer, sidelined with an ankle injury. So, when Nash told players he was expecting more from them, Nitoto added it to a to-do list of challenges that included answering one from Hopson.

"We talked before the game and he said he was coming for me," Nitoto said. "I told him I'd be ready for him."

But Hopson wasn't ready for the Nitoto he got. "I was kinda surprised (by) what he did," Hopson said. "He showed me a lot. He played a great game. He's got my respect."

Which was why that brief parting nudge was an exclamation on a night to remember for Nitoto.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.