Michael Merchant scored 17 points as Campbell outlasted Kalani 46-41 on Thursday at the Hawaii Self-Storage Black and Gold Classic held in McKinley Student Council Gymnasium.

Lamart Dudley hustled for 12 points.

It was an interesting look for the Sabers, who reached the OIA Division I final last season. Point guard Jomar Gapusan was solid with seven points while directing the Sabers through Kalani’s fairly effective full-court press.

But when Gapusan didn’t handle the ball, Campbell struggled. That turned into long-range points for the Falcons, who got 18 points from returnee Alex Tungpalan. His points came on six 3-pointers.

His final trey over Campbell’s 1-2-2 zone brought the Falcons within 34-32, and after Blaise Manabe hit a 22-foot trey, they led 35-34. The lead was short-lived, however, against Campbell’s frontcourt strength.

Newcomer David Marrero, a 6-foot-5 center, was a factor all night with five blocks. He added seven points, including a putback with 3 minutes left to extend Campbell’s lead to 43-38. Marrero, a senior transfer from the mainland, added seven points.

Kalani got no closer.

Aside from Gapusan, a sparkplug on last year’s squad, Marerro was their most consistent ballhandler. Coach Wyatt Tau used the tall post as a safety valve against Kalani’s press.

"Nothing," Tau said of what he liked in the win. "We were aggressive, but we’ve got to play more smart."

With a few players out due to illness and swingman Alika Bantolina practicing for a mainland all-star football game, Tau played just seven Sabers.

He did concede that he liked the play of his newest center.

"David is a good ballhandler. He keeps the ball high. He’s a very smart kid," Tau said.

Falcons coach Nathan Davis was also impressed with Marrero.

"He really changed the game inside, but we’ve got to be ready for that kind of size," he said.

The Falcons suited up just nine players. Four other players performed at a school chorus concert, including three post players.

Cory Mitchell added 12 points and Manabe tallied seven for Kalani.

"We got a chance to get other guys’ feet wet," Davis said. "We’re trying to see what parts fit. We got to play a really quality team, a very physical team."

In an earlier game, sophomore Justice Sueing Jr. scored 19 points, including 11-for-12 shooting at the foul line, as Maryknoll sped past Kaimuki 63-37. Freshman Brian Washington added 10 points and controlled the paint with his wingspan and blocks. Saige Pulu added seven points.

Christian Ono and Sisifo Lauvao led Kaimuki with 12 points each. Shanson Kapanui added seven.

The tourney resumes on Friday with four games: University vs. Kaimuki (3:30 p.m.), Campbell vs. Kalaheo (5 p.m.), Kapolei vs. Kalani (6:30 p.m.) and Maryknoll vs. McKinley (8 p.m.).