Mount Saint Joseph thumps Leilehua, 72-42

Mount Saint Joseph's Randy Miller soars to the basket for a layup against Leilehua. Miller scored a team-high 14 points for the Gaels in a win over the Mules. Steve Erler | Special to SL

Mount Saint Joseph (Baltimore) built an early lead and never looked back in its 72-42 win over Leilehua in the opening round of the 32nd annual Iolani Boys Prep Classic.

The Gaels broke open a 12-8 game with a 22-0 run that allowed them to take a 44-12 lead at halftime. They will face No. 17 Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) in a 3:30 p.m. quarterfinal matchup on Saturday.

Mount Saint Joseph was efficient from the field in their 30-point victory, shooting at a 55 percent clip (33 of 60 shooting). Randy Miller led the effort with 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting.

Leilehua, on the other hand had trouble finding the bottom of the net, going 16-for-46 on the night. Point guard Joseph Gouty had 14 points to lead the Mules and Trey Boatwright chipped in 10 points off the bench.

The Mules hanged around in the first quarter before going cold midway through the period. This allowed the Gaels to go on a 22-0 run to take a commanding 34-8 lead. Mount Saint Joseph's hot streak ended when Anterrio Gainwell made a basket with 3:28 to play in the second quarter.

Leilehua was 6-for-25 from the field in the first half.

The Mules ability to get to the line after the break helped them win the third quarter, 15 to 13.

Mount Saint Joseph took its largest lead of the game, 66-31 on a triple from Jefferson Collins. Collins was the only other Gael to finish in double figures, notching 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting.

The Gaels were proficient in the paint, out rebounding the Mules 39 to 24 while racking up four blocks. Mount Saint Joseph also converted on 31 of its 49 shot attempts from within the arc.

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].