Ashley Savusa scored 16 points and No. 7 Kaimuki took command in the third quarter for a 51-33 girls basketball win over No. 10 Roosevelt last night at James Alegre Gymnasium.

The win pushed Kaimuki (20-5) into a rematch with Pearl City in the Oahu Interscholastic Association’s Red Conference double-elimination playoffs. Pearl City stunned Kaimuki last week on the Bulldogs’ home floor, ending Kaimuki’s unbeaten run in league play.

Kaimuki will play Pearl City tomorrow, and if the Bulldogs win, it would force a winner-take-all final on Saturday.

“We have to look into dishing to the open teammate when we’re doubled. Pearl City plays good defense,” Kaimuki coach Mona Fa‘asoa said.

Kaimuki’s sticky matchup zone stifled Roosevelt, which shot 29 percent (14-for-48). Freshman Tatiana Mariano led the Rough Riders with 12 points.

“It’s just a little bit of getting on their shooters, playing solid defense,” Fa‘asoa said. “It’s almost like we’re in a man, but we’re still in the zone.”

For now, the Bulldogs can relish a win over the upset-minded Rough Riders. Savusa overcame a bumpy start — six turnovers in the first half — to spark the second-half run. She scored six points during a pivotal 13-2 run that opened the second half. That turned a 15-13 game into a commanding lead.

“We just had to settle down and let the game come to us. Her attitude is so good, she said, ‘Coach, my bad.’ They’re all great kids,” Fa‘asoa said.

Savusa had six rebounds, while guard Dejah Fa‘asoa was an invaluable asset with seven points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Fa‘asoa’s floor leadership helped Kaimuki control the tempo against the whirlwind-quick Rough Riders.

When the second half started, the senior guard went to the low post and scored on back-to-back plays.

“We just tried to take advantage of what they gave us,” coach Fa‘asoa said.

Roosevelt, which shot just 3-for-18 from 3-point range, got within 40-31 on a steal and bank shot by Tatiana Mariano with just over 4 minutes left. However, Roosevelt guard Breyana Dutro-Solomua fouled out moments later, and the Rough Riders ran out of steam.

Roosevelt (14-8) had already clinched a state-tournament berth. The Rough Riders lost at Kaimuki 51-37 late in the regular season and were close for a half last night. The Rough Riders’ man-to-man defense forced the Bulldogs into 12 turnovers before halftime.

Kaimuki closed off the lanes and outrebounded Roosevelt 33-16.

The ’Dogs committed 22 turnovers in all to Roosevelt’s 11. Kaimuki shot 50 percent from the floor (18-for-36) and 11-for-15 from the foul line.

Roosevelt coach Hinano Higa was frustrated, but looking forward to the state tourney. Getting an early rest, though, was no consolation.

“It’s never a good thing,” she said. “It’s been like that from game to game. Our defense is there, we create turnovers, but we miss layups, our 3-pointers don’t fall. We’re trying to fight through it. We did the job. (Kaimuki) went to the line only once in the first half.”