Punahou's Kalai Santos launches a shot from beyond half court for the game-winner at the regulation buzzer against Saint Louis. Tyler Guieb | SL

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KALAEPOHAKU – In a battle between the top two teams atop the Interscholastic League of Honolulu standings, an unlikely hero saved the day.

Reserve guard Kalai Santos banked in the game-winner from 67-feet out to help Punahou rally past Saint Louis, 59-58 Wednesday night at McCabe gym. The Buffanblu, ranked No. 2 in the ScoringLive/OC16 Boys Basketball Power Rankings, improved to 3-0 in league play while Saint Louis dropped to 2-1. 

In addition to his game-winning shot, Santos converted on three more 3-point attempts to finish with 12 points.

"He's been working hard every practice. He's been shooting the ball well lately," said Punahou coach Darren Matsuda. 

"I just tried to come in and do my role, look for open shots," added Santos. "It was a stressful, really long game and both teams fought for it. It could have gone either way."

Santos' heroics helped capped a fourth quarter rally by the Buffanblu, who trailed by 13 heading into the final period of regulation. Punahou's 32 points in the fourth quarter were five more than its scoring output throughout the first three quarters of play.

"It was just do or die from there," said Punahou guard Dayson Watanabe who scored eight of his team-high 14 points in the fourth quarter. "I just told my teammates that we have to focus up and do our best to get back into the game."

Timely triples (10 total), and better free throw shooting were what ultimately helped Punahou back into the game. Both teams each made 13 free throws, but Saint Louis had five more attempts (23 to 18).

A corner trey by Punahou guard Jordan Tanuvasa trimmed Saint Louis' lead down to three, 52-49 with 35 seconds left in regulation. With a war of free throws, the Buffanblu would get the score down to 55-53 before having to foul the Crusaders' Ihaka Johnson with 12.2 ticks left on the clock. Johnson would convert on both free throw attempts to give Saint Louis a four-point lead.

Although it was a two-possession game, Punahou's JB Kam was able to hit a step-back 3-point attempt to make the score 57-56 with under five seconds left. Punahou stopped the clock with 1.7 seconds remaining by sending Johnson back to the line.

Johnson missed the first free throw, but knocked in the second one, allowing Punahou to inbound the ball with the clocked stop. All of the Crusaders on the court went passed the half court line before the ball was inbounded, which freed up Santos' game-winning shot right in front of the Saint Louis bench.

Punahou's late fourth quarter surge overshadowed an impressive performance from a well-rounded Saint Louis team. The Crusaders saw four players finish in double figures, led by Johnson's game-high 15 points. Reserve forward Drew Kobayashi added a season-high 13 points and brothers Jimmy and Jaymason Nunuha each had 11. Kevin Marks was another key contributor with six points, five rebounds and four assists while Jayce Smalley registered nine total rebounds. 

Saint Louis outscored Punahou 26-13 in the second and third quarters thanks to multiple fast break opportunities off of turnovers.

"They're a good defensive team and a very disciplined team. They played a really good game," said Matsuda.

Punahou will look to extend its winning ways on the road against third-ranked Iolani Saturday. Saint Louis can get back in the win column with a win at Mid-Pacific Friday.