In a crucial early season O'ahu Interscholastic Association boys basketball showdown, Kaimuki rallied past and then held off Moanalua last night, 48-45.

The Bulldogs evened their record at 2-2 in the OIA's Red Conference Eastern Division; Na Menehune -- the defending league champion -- fell to 0-2.

"We needed this win," Kaimuki coach Kelly Grant said. "If we lost and were 1-3, I might have had to use every motivational trick in the book to keep our guys focused."

The Bulldogs found the motivation they needed after trailing 12-6 after one period and 24-18 at the half. Tevin Nishiyama sandwiched a pair of 3-pointers around Mason Kuali'i-Moe's steal and layup to turn a 25-20 deficit into a 28-25 lead, and a 3-pointer by Kuali'i-Moe -- Kaimuki's fourth of the quarter -- later put the Bulldogs up, 38-31.

Moanalua closed it to 40-38 entering the fourth on Wesley Armburst's layup with two seconds remaining, then tied it at 40-40 with Keven Amaral's baseline jumper.

But the Bulldogs took the lead for good at 42-40 on Nicholas Motellang's baseline jumper with 4:16 left, though Na Menehune closed it to 46-45 on Dexter Williams' three-point play with 28.4 seconds remaining.

Williams then made a steal and a baseline jumper with 15.5 seconds left, but the basket was waived off when he was called for a charging foul -- one of several by Moanalua in the second half.

Kuali'i-Moe then sank two free throws to put Kaimuki ahead, 48-45, and a 3-point attempt from the right corner by Na Menehune skipped off the rim. Bulldogs forward Chester Su'a chased down the rebound in the opposite corner and flung it downcourt as he fell out of bounds, allowing the clock to run out.

Nishiyama, a 5-foot-6 senior guard, led Kaimuki with 13 points and Kuali'i-Moe added 11 points. Williams led all scorers with 15 points and Armburst added 12 points for Moanalua.

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