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Jade Botelho and Alex Masaquel combined for 23 points and 22 rebounds as No. 3 ‘Iolani rallied for a 70-46 win over Mid-Pacific on Thursday night in the Raiders’ gym.
The game was originally scheduled to be played at MPI’s Mills Gym, but rainy weather led to a wet, unplayable court.
‘Iolani improved to 2-1 in league play (6-4 overall), while Mid-Pacific dropped to 1-3 (3-4 overall) despite 24 points, six rebounds, five steals and three blocks by guard Kiki Robertson.
“We hadn’t played since the Kamehameha game,” Raiders coach Eddie Maruyama said. “We just tried to play and execute.”
The change in venue didn’t seem to bother the Owls, who soared to a 12-4 lead behind Robertson’s quick start. The senior guard, returning from an ankle injury, was at about “70 or 80 percent,” but scored 13 first-quarter points.
Mid-Pacific had an 18-14 lead going into the second quarter as Robertson showed flashes of last year’s 35-point effort in an overtime loss to ‘Iolani.
“We talked about taking away her drive,” Masaquel said. “In the beginning we didn’t do a good job of defending her, but Pops (assistant Glenn Young) said to take away her left.”
But she picked up her third foul and left the game with her team up 22-19 and 5:44 left in the first half.
“The calls didn’t really go in our favor, but it is what it is. We got hacked a lot,” MPI coach Liz Kam said. “It’s a huge difference when she’s out.”
‘Iolani’s full-court press feasted on the Owls after that, and the Raiders took a 38-24 lead into the half.
Botelho, who finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, scored seven points in that second quarter. Pua Kahalehoe added 12 points and Masaquel hit both of her 3-pointers in the second quarter and finished with 10 points, nine boards and three assists.
“Coach (Rod Veary) drew it up. He wanted me to shoot more threes this year,” Masaquel said. “I’ve been working on it because I know in college I won’t be playing on the bottom a lot. I try to work on everything.”
Robertson returned to the court in the third quarter, but the layoff caused by her ankle injury showed.
She managed just three points in the third as the Raiders, using their platoon system, wore Mid-Pacific down. ‘Iolani got two treys from freshman guard Brooke Maeda to open a 55-35 lead going into the fourth stanza.
Maeda finished with four treys for 12 points as the Raiders shot 9-for-27 from the arc. MPI got no closer than 15 in the final quarter.
Robertson managed to get two practices in as the injured ankle healed slowly.
“I would’ve been in better shape,” she said of the timing of her injury. “I can’t really say, but I would’ve helped keep our team together more. We’re better than last year. Everyone’s more together.”
Alexe Navarro had 10 points and Pua Kanekoa seven rebounds for the Owls.
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At ‘Iolani
Mid-Pacific (1-3) 18 6 11 11 — 46
‘Iolani (2-1) 14 24 17 15 — 70
MID-PACIFIC—Emma Krening 0, Alexe Navarro 10, Keikilani Lyons 4, Kiki Robertson 24, Rebecca Martin 0, Judy Phan 2, Skyla Alcon 0, Pua Kanekoa 4, Courtney Tom 2.
‘IOLANI—Pua Kahalehoe 12, Bailey Choy 0, Klein Masutani 7, Brooke Maeda 12, Sierra Busche 0, Lindsey Combs 2, Abrianna Johnson-Edwards 10, Sunshine Saucedo 2, Alex Masaquel 10, Alyssa Liilii 0, Taimane Passi 2, Jade Botelho 13.
3-point goals—Mid-Pacific 2 (Navarro, Robertson). ‘Iolani 9 (Maeda 4, Johnson-Edwards 2, Masaquel 2, Masutani).
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