Five days after a 29-point loss at Punahou and three days after squeaking out a two-point victory at Sacred Hearts, 'Iolani re-affirmed its status as an Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls basketball title contender last night with a convincing 54-41 win over visiting Mid-Pacific.

The Raiders, ranked No. 5 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media, improved to 6-2 in the ILH, a half-game behind Punahou (6-1). MPI, ranked No. 7, fell to 3-4.

'Iolani took an 8-6 lead on Georgette Lopes-Liutolo's 3-pointer — the second of eight for the Raiders — with 4:43 remaining in the first period and led the rest of the way.

"After last week's loss (to Punahou, 58-29), we were motivated and we knew we gotta bounce back," said junior guard Lori Yamashita, who had 11 points last night. "We needed to come out with a lot of energy, and tonight we did. In this league, you cannot take anybody lightly, and tonight we proved we're still a strong team."

'Iolani built leads of 14-8 after one period and 25-15 by halftime, but the Owls opened the third quarter with a full-court press and cut their deficit to 34-31 on a free throw by Taylor Babbitt with nine seconds remaining.

But after a scramble for a loose ball, Yamashita received a pass on the left wing and swished a 22-footer with one second remaining.

"That hurt," MPI coach Byron Cheng said. "We didn't do a good job of getting pressure out there on some shots, and we didn't execute with the safety (on the full-court press). We gave up too many open layups."

The Owls closed to 39-36 after Jenna Savusa's three-point play with 6:40 left, but the Raiders responded with an 8-2 run started by Kylie Maeda's breakaway layup. MPI got as close as 47-40 on Ashley Yamachika's running banker with 2:29 remaining, but that would be the Owls' last field goal of the night.

'Iolani sophomore guard Lahela Usui led all scorers with 14 points, including three 3-pointers and 12 points in the first half. Lopes-Liutolo added 12 points on four 3-pointers.

"That's our game — we like 3-pointers and we love layups," said Marlene Zeug, the Raiders' first-year coach. "Our team is young (only three seniors), so we're still learning and each game is a checking point for us. At least this game showed we're on the right track and we're getting better."

Johnelle Kapua led Mid-Pacific with 12 points.

MID-PACIFIC (3-4) 8 7 16 10 — 41

'IOLANI (6-2) 14 11 12 17 — 54

MID-PACIFIC — Ashley Yamachika 4, Paige Young 2, Johnelle Kapua 12, Shanon Nishimura 0, Kelli Shibata 0, Jordan Kealoha 4, Taylor Babbitt 8, Keaton McFadden 2, Jenna Savusa 9. Totals 18 5-11 41.

'IOLANI — Tami Konishi 4, Kylie Maeda 9, Saphrye Rezentes 0, Lori Yamashita 11, Georgette Lopes-Liutolo 12, Kaitlyn Shikada 0, Mahina Haina 2, Lahela Usui 14, Brittany Barnes 2. Totals 19 8-13 54. 3-point goals: Mid-Pacific none. 'Iolani 8 (Lopes-Liutolo 4, Usui 3, Yamashita).

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456. Read his blog on high school sports at www.preptalk.honadvblogs.com

NO. 2 PUNAHOU 55, SACRED HEARTS 24:

Janelle Nomura had nine points and the host Buffanblu led 13-4 after one quarter and 29-8 at intermission in rolling past the Lancers.

PUNAHOU (6-1) 13 16 12 14 — 55

SACRED HEARTS (1-7) 4 4 9 7 — 24

PUNAHOU — Kaylin Okuma 2, Rebecca Lau 3, Julianne Nomura 0, Janet Li 2, Anna Merrifield 2, Brittnie Lau 2, Mysha Sataraka 6, Janelle Nomura 9, Ashley Feria 6, Jennifer Ching 8, Julia Brand 6, Kysa Ludviksen 5, Tressa Torres 4. Totals 24 5-7 55.

SACRED HEARTS — Kara Vause 1, Rayna Munos 2, Kamri Lin 0, Morgan Donohue 5, Sara Souza 0, Vanessa Freitas 0, Lindsey Bareng 7, Raecha-Ann Kauahikaua 2, Theresa O'Connor 0, Kuhina Luis 7, Naihe Paikai 0. Totals 10 2-4 24.

3-point goals: Punahou 2 (Lau, Nomura). Sacred Hearts 2 (Donohue, Bareng).

Reported by Gail Juan

ILH GIRLS DIVISION II

ST. ANDREW'S 57, WORD OF LIFE 50:

Noelani Kawashima hit four 3-pointers en route to 22 points, Minna Watanabe added 15 and Shelley Wong 11, leading the Pride past the Firebrands in an ILH Division II game.

WORD OF LIFE (2-6) 13 10 13 14 — 50

ST. ANDREW'S (5-3) 7 15 12 23 — 57

WORD OF LIFE — Faith Zerba 3, Rayane Alvarado 12, Alexis Villa 2, Shelbi Miyashiro 3, Adaiah Hanakahi 6, Phoibe Fetu 12, Channelle Maldonado 10, Paea Naulu 2, Jedidah Hanakahi 0. Totals 19 6-15 52.

ST. ANDREW'S — Rebecca Kleinschmidt 4, Shelley Wong 11, Minna Watanabe 15, Noelani Kawashima 22, Erika McCaskill 3, Teisha Laboy 0, Diana Cabral 2. Totals 19 14-30 57.

3-point goals: Word of Life 6 (Alvarado 4, Miyashiro, Maldonado). St. Andrew's 5 (Kawashima 4, McCaskill).

Reported by Missy Kilbey

LA PIETRA 58, HAWAIIAN MISSION ACADEMY 50:

Cody Koa scored 27 points, Alexandra Del Favero Campbell had 11, and the host Lady Panthers beat the Knights.

HAWAIIAN MISSION (1-7) 8 10 18 14 — 50

LA PIETRA (1-5) 8 14 17 19 — 58

HAWAIIAN MISSION — Rachel Reyes 0, Alana Muller 10, Melissa Mishima 6, Samantha Ramos 2, Tiffany Pinontoan 0, Caroline Kim 6, Colleen Uechi 0, Erika Tsubokura 3, Raquel Gonzalez 17, Hope Leao 0, Ana Bechard 6. Totals 13 20-35 50.

LA PIETRA — Kendra Akase 0, Alexandra Del Favero Campbell 11, Jennifer Moody 0, Cody Koa 27, Rachel Wegenman 0, Adrian Huang 0, Shannon Waltz 9, Marissa Freeman 0, Emily Schlieman 0, Monique Smith 3, Mckenzie Hoover 8. Totals 20 18-43 58.

3-point goals: Hawaiian Mission 4 (Kim 2, Tsubokura, Gonzalez). La Pietra none.

Reported by Uilani Pangelinan

OIA GIRLS RED WEST

'AIEA 43, PEARL CITY 41:

Natasha Helsham had 16 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and eight steals, and Carol Sio had 16 points, helping the host Na Ali'i rally to beat the Chargers in an OIA Red West game.

PEARL CITY (4-4) 7 12 13 9 — 41

'AIEA (7-1) 10 8 10 15 — 43

PEARL CITY — Abigail Bala 0, Charmagne Monis 4, Ashley Goto 0, Shanise Gabriel-Yomes 2, Victoria Victor 0, Glacen Florita 2, Sasha Kamalii 0, Jordan Ahakuelo 16, Alana Kaili 5, Keshia Manning 5, Leina Basques 7, Emme Cabrejos 0. Totals 16 9-19 41.

'AIEA — Ashley Liilii 0, Celeste Fong 2, Natasha Helsham 16, Natasha Fong 2, Brianna Brooks 0, Crystal Tagudin 2, Rayna Strom-Okimoto 1, Maria Holtzman 0, Emily Tausaga 2, Shayla Kuehu 2, Carol Sio 16. Totals 19 5-11 43.

3-point goals: Pearl City none. 'Aiea none.

JV — Pearl City 42, 'Aiea 19.

Reported by 'Aiea Athletics

RADFORD 35, KAPOLEI 31:

Bui Baravilala scored 15 points to help the visiting Rams hold off the Hurricanes.

RADFORD (3-6) 15 5 6 9 — 35

KAPOLEI (4-4) 10 6 10 5 — 31

RADFORD — Melanie Alofaituli 0, Marissa Stavros 4, Bui Baravilala 15, Antionette Carradine 2, Disa Brown 5, Pierra Brown 2, Kaeli Patton 0, Alana Gionet 0, Ja'kila Leggett 0, Rachel Kapesi 0, Lily Sevao 3, Mama Tiaseu 4. Totals 15 4-7 35.

KAPOLEI — Krystal Jacobs 0, Danniel Tapat 12, Victoria Afoa 0, Sarah Awana 0, Rhilee Soriano 2, Alysse Bishop 4, Kawehi Hagi 7, Cherece Beyer 2, Shaina Ducosin 0, Kayla Fuataga 2, Nicole Fuataga 2. Totals 12 5-8 31.

3-point goals: Radford 1 (Brown). Kapolei 2 (Tapat 2).

JV — Kapolei 47, Radford 21.

Reported by Jo-Ann Payongayong

MILILANI 56, WAI'ANAE 36:

Sophia Chang scored 13 points and the Trojans, leading 19-10 at intermission, used a 19-8 third quarter to pull away from the Seariders.

MILILANI (6-2) 14 5 19 18 — 56

WAI'ANAE (0-8) 5 5 8 18 — 36

MILILANI — Chelsea Basilio 4, Tiff Lagua 3, Jordan Sakai 6, Darcey Goulsby 7, Sophie Chang 13, Pomai Grube-Hose 2, Amber Ogata 6, Kellise Dela Cruz 0, Sam Yuki 4, Celine Garces 6, Abby McKoy 2, Cory Ramos 1, Kyla Alcantra 0, Andi Felise 2. Totals 23 3-12 56.

WAI'ANAE — Alisa Tupuola 0, Alesa Ramaila 4, Emma Atiga 2, Beverly Madrid 3, Evalani Yoshimura 7, Geneviene Cuesta 15, Shantel Buckner 5, Maili Enos-Branigan 0, Emma Tanoi 0. Totals 13 5-10 36.

3-point goals: Mililani 7 (Ogata 2, Chang 2, Garces 2, Lagua). Wai'anae 5 (Cuesta 3, Madrid, Yoshimura).

JV — Mililani 39, Wai'anae 32.

Reported by Kevin Nakamoto

OIA GIRLS RED EAST

NO. 1 FARRINGTON 62, CASTLE 40:

Lusina Otineru scored 10 points and the visiting Governors used a 19-6 third period to pull away from the Knights and remain unbeaten in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red East.

FARRINGTON (8-0) 14 14 19 15 — 62

CASTLE (0-9) 10 11 6 13 — 40

FARRINGTON— Kahea Ho'ohuli 0, Jasmine Funtanilla 2, Angie Argel 2, Natalie Mata 6, Lucky Crichton 0, Brydgette Tatupu-Leopoldo 7, Precious Maave 0, Janell Nance 3, Macilee Moi 3, Kirsten Liana 8, Valerie Lesu 7, Sofia Folaumahina 6, Aisha Gaea 8, Lusina Otineru 10. Totals 20 21-34 62.

CASTLE — Brande Sasaki 6, Cailee Awa 14, Britt Hawn 0, Britt Lane 1, Leisha Li'ili'i 8, Kaity Wills 2, Macee Moe 0, Ashley Ballestenos 0, Joshell Lilio 4, Nicole Aberilla 2, Kree Espinda 3. Totals 14 11-24 40.

3-point goals: Farrington 1 (Tatupu-Leopoldo). Castle 1 (Awa).

JV — Farrington 37, Castle 34.

Reported by Jeff McKeown

MCKINLEY 41, MOANALUA 27:

Kylie Sato scored nine points and the visiting Tigers saw their 19-9 halftime lead cut to 27-22 entering the fourth quarter before beating Na Menehune.

MCKINLEY (6-2) 7 12 6 16 — 41

MOANALUA (3-4) 3 6 13 5 — 27

MCKINLEY — Jackie Tihano 6, Emerenciana Rayes 3, Kylie Sato 9, Twanzyna Spencer 3, Ashley Gravely 8, Tatiana Dinson 0, Brenda Walker 2, Hannah Yoo 1, Jorena Faletoi 7, Juwill Sparks 2, Jaylynn Baoit 0. Totals 16 5-20 41.

MOANALUA — Brittney Calucag 3, Briana Dacoscos 2, Kiley Lau 0, Joanna Nicolas 2, Michelle Hardy 3, Amanda Selvey 0, Melanie Smith 0, Jaiden Rego 3, Hoku Dela Cruz 10, A.J. Verdida 1, Justine Aguas 3. Totals 9 5-12 27.

3-point goals: McKinley 4 (Tihano 2, Sato, Spencer). Moanalua 4 (Dela Cruz 2, Calucag, Hardy).

JV — not reported.

Reported by Moanalua Athletics

KAILUA 53, KALANI 42:

Ashley Jacobs poured in 22 points and the host Surfriders pulled away in the second half to beat the Falcons.

KALANI (3-5) 8 9 10 15 — 42

KAILUA (3-5) 9 12 13 19 — 53

KALANI — Joyce Lam 0, Kelsie Maslanka 0, Tiffany Liao 0, Corie Kuia 7, Ashlyn Onaga 7, Kiera Iinuma 0, Cristine Sasano 0, Kristi Belshe 0, Leina Faleolo 0, Hikaru Kumagai 2, Jamie Higa 11, Tiare Maafala 2, Loretta Misaalefua 0, Violet Alama 13. Totals 16 6-10 42.

KAILUA — Jayna Hanawahine 1, Tawny Kiko 4, Sola Williams 7, Teuila Afele 2, Zsalei Kamaka 8, Ka'u Kohatsu 2, Alysha Franco 0, Anu Ah Yun 7, Ashley Jacobs 22, Tia Navarro 0. Totals 19 12-22 53.

3-point goals: Kalani 4 (Higa 2, Kuia, Onaga). Kailua 3 (Jacobs 2, Williams).

JV — Kailua 36, Kalani 35, OT.

Reported by Zachary Stephens

OIA GIRLS WHITE

NO. 10 KAHUKU 61, NO. 9 KAIMUKI 56:

Vaimalama Tito had 17 points, Nile Te'o added 15, and the visiting Red Raiders rallied from a 32-28 halftime deficit to tie the Bulldogs for first in the OIA White.

KAHUKU (7-1) 16 12 16 17 — 61

KAIMUKI (7-1) 13 19 11 13 — 56

KAHUKU — Nile Te'o 15, Vaimalama Tito 17, Temutisa Te'o 0, Lavinia Latu 3, Maria Tonga 2, Jessica Falemalu 1, Jovan Falemalu 7, Uluakimata Tonga 0, Rachel Tailele 8, Alysha Cummings 8, Vaunelle Hingano 0. Totals 21 16-26 61.

KAIMUKI — Olivia Phommachanh 18, Pua Akaka 1, Sasha Tokuda 0, Brooke Borce 0, Tanya Villanueva 0, Dinishah Fa'asoa 0, Justell Arthur 0, Nikki Chipen-Ii , Brittney Anglin 0, Letisha Fa'asoa 7, Dejah Fa'asoa 17, Mikki Morihara 0, Leti Mikaele 6, Ashley Fortson 2, Lani Mikaele 5. Totals 17 19-33 56. 3-point goals: Kahuku 3 (N. Te'o 2, Latu). Kaimuki 3 (D. Fa'asoa 2, Phommachanh).

JV — Kahuku 35, Kaimuki 24.

Reported by Dejah Fa'asoa

KAISER 67, KALAHEO 62:

Chelsy Okuma scored 22 points, Bailey Miller 17 and Keely Bitanga 10, helping the host Cougars turn back the Mustangs.

KALAHEO (5-3) 12 9 15 26 — 62

KAISER (5-3) 10 17 13 27 — 67

KALAHEO — Nicole Cobb 6, Hi'ilei Olsen 0, Brianna Perry 5, Caira Pires 17, Tiffany Harada 0, Mele Adams 10, Kaua Cale 8, Kourtni Thomas 16, Jordy Smith 0. Totals 19 19-40 62.

KAISER — Krysta Yasui 5, Alaiza Del Andre 0, Haley Durham 0, Lijah Bowerman 6, Chelsy Okuma 22, Keely Bitanga 10, Kaitlyn Nakano 0, Bailey Miller 17, Daryn Vorderbruegge 1, Shelby Pa 6. Totals 17 25-43 67.

3-point goals: Kalaheo 5 (Perry, Pires 2, Adams, Thomas). Kaiser 8 (Yasui, Okuma 3, Bitanga Miller 3).

JV — Kaiser 50, Kalaheo 34.

Reported by Simon Bitanga

NANAKULI 42, WAIALUA 12:

Violet Mao scored 14, Kirstie Rosa added 10 and the host Golden Hawks took a 26-8 halftime lead in beating the Bulldogs.

NANAKULI (4-5) 11 15 10 6 — 42

WAIALUA (1-5) 4 4 0 4 — 12

NANAKULI — Stephanie Kalili 5, Kirstie Rosa 10, Napualani Kelii 0, Potesia Toli 2, Raeniece Talo 4, Shashawn Kekahuna 0, Maresena Foi 2, Violet Mao 14, Erica Sula 2, Nana Kakiva 3. Totals 17 8-9 42.

WAIALUA —Deja Lunasco 0, Hoku Ho 7, Courtney Kilday 0, Gabby Maxwell 1, Alyssiah Hernandez 1, Savannah Ash 3, Shaurice Talaroc 0. Totals 3 5-7 12. 3-point goals: Nanakuli none. Waialua 1 (Ho).

JV — Nanakuli 48, Waialua 12.

Reported by Waialua Athletics