Haka Johnson scored 14 points and Jimmy Nunuha III added 10 as No. 6 Saint Louis outlasted No. 7 Kalaheo 40-37 in a defensive battle at the St. Francis Merv Lopes Hoops Classic VII on Thursday.

Kalaheo had a chance to tie the game, but Alec MacLeod missed short on an open 3-pointer from the right wing as time expired. MacLeod led the Mustangs (12-4) with 14 points and Kupaa Harrison added 10 points, 10 rebounds and two steals.

The Crusaders pulled out the win despite cold shooting.

"I’m proud of them. We haven’t been 10-1," Saint Louis coach Keith Spencer said. "We’ve faced adversity, but we’ve come back."

They were able to generate some easy buckets in the second and fourth quarters by using a full-court press.

"I knew Alika (Kalaheo coach Smith) would make adjustments at halftime," Spencer said about pulling back on the press in the third quarter.

Kalaheo had untimely turnovers with point guard Kekai Smith gone on a family vacation.

"I don’t think we played anywhere near what we’re capable of," Smith said. "You hold a team to 40 points, you should win the game."

The Crusaders’ edge on the offensive boards was a big factor. Jedidiah Lulu had four of his eight rebounds on the offensive glass.

Free-throw shooting was a factor, too. Saint Louis shot just 11-for-23 at the line (48 percent).

"I’m happy about the win, but we would’ve won by a lot more if we hit our free throws. We had our shooters at the line," Spencer said. "It’s got to go in when we play in the ILH. Games will come down to that."

Trailing for most of the first three quarters, Kalaheo went on a 10-2 run and took a 30-29 lead on a baseline floater by Harrison. Johnson’s two foul shots put the Crusaders ahead for good, 31-30, early in the fourth.

Saint Louis used its full-court press to help regain the lead. Nunuha, who finished with six assists and three steals, was one of the spark plugs.

The Mustangs were within 39-37 after MacLeod sank a 3-pointer off an inbounds pass from Harrison with 20.6 seconds remaining.

 Saint Louis missed two opportunities to put the game out of reach. Johnson sank one of two foul shots for a 40-37 lead and MacLeod got loose for a shot from the right wing to tie it, but missed.

Crusaders guard Kevin Marks missed two free-throw attempts with 8.2 seconds remaining, providing Kalaheo with a final chance. Harrison found MacLeod wide open on the right wing again, but overtime was not to be.

"Our younger guys should understand, but they’re still behind," Smith said. "Today, we had some guys playing other positions, so hopefully it helps us down the road."

Saint Louis will meet Santa Margarita (Calif.) in a 4:30 p.m. quarterfinals game today. The Eagles have eight players 6-foot-3 or taller, including 6-8 and 6-10. They downed Leilehua 53-33 on Thursday, getting 11 points from 6-8 post Joe Furstinger.

See hawaiiprepworld.com for a blog on all of Thursday’s games at the tournament.

St. Francis Merv Lopes Hoops Classic

Thursday’s games
Mid-Pacific 70, Kamehameha II 65
Kamehameha-Hawaii 64, Kapolei 45
Santa Margarita 53, Leilehua 33
Saint Louis 40, Kalaheo 37
Kahuku 71, University 61
Kamehameha 72, Farrington 61
St. Francis 48, Campbell 43
‘Iolani 80, Kailua 37

OIA EAST GIRLS

Castle 64, Kaimuki 37

Sheastel Tiumalu scored 18 points and Sierra Koki added 17 as the Knights defeated the Bulldogs.
Valerie Wilson had a game-high 26 points, including four 3-pointers for Kaimuki in a losing effort. 

CASTLE—Shaney Tiumalu 12, Sierra Koki 17, Briana Hidalgo 7, Asia Almedia 10, Sheastel Tiumalu 18.

KAIMUKI—Angela Wright 3, Seplynn Aikau 5, Valerie Wilson 26, Perpetua Bregoli 3, Brandy Pfeiffer-Kekoa 0.

3-point goals—Castle 1 (Sha. Tiumalu). Kaimuki 5 (Wilson 4, Aikau).

Junior varsity—Castle 55, Kaimuki 20

Farrington 50, Kailua 49

Jeneva Toilolo poured in a game-high 22 points as the Governors held off the Surfriders.
Patria Vaimoana led Kailua with 16 points.

FARRINGTON—Leah Ramos 2, Hazel Artates 9, Nani Cabato-Machado 3, Megan Aguinaldo 7, Gehraniah Tulba 0, Arabelle Dela Cruz 0, Tiare Medeiros 7, Jeneva Toilolo 22.

KAILUA—Delcie Williams 10, Keala Kaio-Perez 7, Kainani Peters 0, Leilani Lastimosa 1, Tara Takata 13, Akamulyn Makua 1, Saje Perry 0, Bridget Pulusila 0, Kahoa Mikaele 1, Patria Vaimoana 16.

3-point goals—Farrington 1 (Artates). Kailua 2 (Kaio-Perez, Takata). Junior varsity—Farrington 61, Kailua 17

Kalani 72, Kalaheo 47

The Falcons knocked down 11 3-pointers en route to a blowout victory over the Mustangs.
Taylor Murai scored 17 points for Kalani while Tyra Meredith had a game-high 19 for Kalaheo.

KALANI—Carly Kakuda 15, Sydnee Kishaba 4, Andrea Ching 2, Tristyn Nishibun 3, Taili Iinuma 7, Kassidy Misaki 10, Samantha Shizuru 2, Jessica Bock 0, Shandlynn Willing 12, Taylor Murai 17 .

KALAHEO—Esther Ilab 4, Kama Aveiro 0, Shauntay Sugse 3, Jadyn Silva 2, Tyler Meredith 2, Tiffany Beach 2, Tyra Meredith 19, Sierra Yamaguchi 12, Michelle Sasaki 3, Kylie Kaiahua 0.

3-point goals—Kalani 11 (Willing 3, Kakuda 2, Misaki 2, Murai 2, Iinuma, Nishibun). Kalaheo  none.

Junior varsity—Kalani 43, Kalaheo 35

Moanalua 67, Kaiser 61

Lachae McColor scored 19 points as Na Menehune defeated the Cougars and remained undefeated.
Roselyn Shimaoka had 16 points to lead Kaiser.

KAISER—Roselyn Shimaoka 16, Chantelle Arce 8, Tasha Horn 3, Brandi Arita 6, Briana Halemanu 0, Kiana Matsumoto 0, Jordan Passas 15, Karly Demello 2, Skye Keao 3, Brooke Ho 8.

MOANALUA—Lachae McColor 19, Ciera O’Brien 12, Keahi-lele Roy 3, Sienna Ho 3, Hokukealani Mateo 14, Dasia Julian 3, Jazmina Iafitaga 4, Cherie Bento 9.

3-point goals—Kaiser 3 (Arce 2, Passas). Moanalua  (Roy, Iafitaga, Ho).

Junior varsity—Kaiser 54, Moanalua 31

Also
No. 7 Roosevelt (5-0) 69, Kahuku (1-4) 36

OIA WEST GIRLS

No. 5 Mililani 54, Leilehua 26

Sarah Liva scored 14 points as the Trojans handed the Mules their first loss in regular-season play.
Mikaela Limper added 12 points, including three 3-pointers for Mililani. 

LEILEHUA—Ariel Cabello 0, Chloe Pojas 0, Tatiana Carvallo 0, Jerri Maluyo 8, Tywanna Abbott 7, Chyel Palmer 3, Paige Kimura 0, Tiffany Reyher 3, Deja Bryant 5, Gina Manumu’a 0, Mere McKenzie 0, Azah Quach 0, Elisha Sole 0.

MILILANI—Jerika Dacuycuy 3, Kaylee Torres 0, Kristen Tamagawa 2, Zyriana Davies 11, Mikaela Limper 12, Kristen Miguel 0, Jamie Yuki 0, Shantell Appleby 6, Summer Bolibol 6, Sarah Liva 14 .

3-point goals—Leilehua 1 (Reyher). Mililani 4 (Limper 3, Dacuycuy).

Junior varsity—Mililani 51, Leilehua 35

Aiea 29, Pearl City 22

Mich’lae Higa scored 11 points to lead Na Alii over the Chargers. Tianna Amorin led Pearl City with 13 points. 

AIEA—Allysha Cooper-Tabisola 2, Jazlyn Corpuz 0, Mich’lae Higa 11, Kyle Johnson 6, Kailly Paulo 3, Vien Crisostomo 0, Emekina Lautalo 0, Natasha Maroney 7.

PEARL CITY—Louise Pekelo 2, Tianna Amorin 13, Desiree Altavale 1, Kayelah Arakaki 2, Brandee Huihui 0, Chiemi Trias 3, Sina Sinclair 1, Megan Ramos 0.

3-point goals—Aiea none. Pearl City  2 (Amorin 2).

Kapolei 46, Waipahu 23

Up by only three points at the half, the Hurricanes outscored the Marauders 30-12 in the final 16 minutes. Amayha Dycus scored a game-high 13 points for Kapolei.

KAPOLEI—Raquel Lasconia 4, Annika San Nicolas 0, Ty White 8, Amayha Dycus 13, Samantha Eslava 1, Dayshia Carter 2, Gabby Sanchez 4, Kaitlyn Lanier 12, Sati Helenihi 2, Jennifer Hillard 0, Vai Fuiava 0, Kela Whitehurst 0.

WAIPAHU—Shaina Asada 0, Arriane Janine Fernandez 6, Arriane Joshua Fernandez 6, Rhica Savella 0, Krystle Aceret 0, Jayde Libby 2, Shandell Palencia 0, Alyssa Lene 1, Cecilia Satui 0, Kuinita Donley 8.

3-point goals—Kapolei none. Waipahu 1 (Arriane Janine Fernandez).

Junior varsity—Kapolei 41, Waipahu 36

Nanakuli 45, Campbell 33

Keanani Chai scored 10 points to lead the Golden Hawks past the Sabers.

NANAKULI—Alana Nuuanu 3, Keanani Chai 10, Tianna Hanohano 8, Alexis Paulo-Meyers 9, Kawehi Chai 8, Natalia Kaopua 2, Renise Laa 5.

CAMPBELL—Cydney Curran 7, Jenavee Tago-Su‘e 3, Charis Curran 2, Pomai Tam-Pacheco 0, Sabrina Marzan 9, Chante Dewberry 0, Brandy Contrades 9, Jessica Samate 2, Shyanna Fernandez 0, Julia Ernest 1.

3-point goals—Nanakuli 1 (Paulo-Meyers). Campbell 2 (Marzan 2).

Junior varsity—Campbell 38, Nanakuli 35

Waianae 73, Waialua 20

Rose Tulimasealii and Raegine Atiga scored 14 points each as the Seariders routed the Bulldogs.
Kaedy Hatchett scored 11 points to lead Waialua. 

WAIANAE—Jayrusha Martin 0, Mahina Chong 10, Berlin Johnson 10, Dessirrei Sivia 11, Rose Tulimasealii 14, Kuulei Bailey 5, Raywyne Atiga 8, Raegine Atiga 14, Shania Kapua 1.

WAIALUA—Kaedy Hatchett 11, Kaitlin Ayonon 3, Kayla Kapika 3, Alania Bayudam 0, Chelsea Pascua 2, Elena Rivera 0, Liliana Marks 0, Kamryn Lendio 1.

3-point goals—Waianae none. Waialua  none.