WAHIAWA — After suffering road losses at Kapolei and Campbell, Mililani rebounded with a 51-39 win at rival Leilehua last night.

A crowd of about 300 saw Mililani improve to 4-2 in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West division. Leilehua fell to 5-1.

The Trojans got a balanced attack that was led by reserve forward Nick DeMusis' 11 points. Aaron Lenchanko added nine points; Warren Duke and Scott Burns each had eight.

Kolwin Dixon led the Mules with 15 points.

"It's exciting for our program because we beat the best team in the West," said Mililani head coach Hiram Akina. "We knew we had to come out and play our best against Leilehua."

The Mules struggled offensively, scoring just nine points in the first half. Mililani led 30-9 at the break.

"I think we were a little tentative," said Leilehua head coach Keith Spencer. "I try to keep the locker room as loose as possible, but anytime you've got a rivalry between Leilehua and Mililani, the kids tend to tighten up."

Leilehua opened the second half with an 11-4 run that was capped by an Art Laurel banker that made it 34-20 with 3:35 left in the third quarter.

"After the first half, we came out and we were too tentative and the intensity level dropped," Akina said. "We knew Leilehua would come back."

However, the Trojans soon adjusted into a 2-3 zone that gave the Mules fits.

Leilehua went scoreless for the final three minutes of the third quarter and trailed 43-22 to start the fourth.

"We felt like they weren't shooting from outside, so I think the zone really kept them from getting the ball inside to (Laurel), where he likes to get it," Akina said. "I think our defensive pressure was our real big asset."

Leilehua made a late push, but could only get to within 12 points.

"It just came down to fundamentals tonight: making layups, making free throws, grabbing rebounds," Spencer said. "We failed all three of those tonight."

Leilehua was 10 of 22 from the free-throw line.

MILILANI (4-2) 12 18 13 8 — 51

LEILEHUA (5-1) 3 6 13 17 — 39

MILILANI — Scott Burns 8, Cody Kilthau 0, Curtis Murakami 3, Nehoa Akina 6, Devon Castellano-Chock 0, Aaron Lenchanko 9, Warren Duke 8, Nick DeMusis 11, Reid Pangelinan 4, Bo Keto 0, Jon Keen 2. Totals 20 7-11 51.

LEILEHUA — Tavana Alailima 2, Kolwin Dixon 15, Hoku Kama 7, Art Laurel 5, Bronson Pausa 0, Dillon Pau'u 4, Gary Rodeffer 4, James Samuel 2. Totals 14 10-22.

3-point field goals — Mililani 4 (Murakami, Akina, Lenchanko, DeMusis). Leilehua 1 (Kama).

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.