Punahou's Jordan Tanuvasa puts up a shot in traffic against Iolani. Steve Erler | Special to SL

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011715_01_17_15_iolani_punahou_stevenerler-173.jpg - Steve Erler | Special to SL

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Strong performances in the first and third period were key in Punahou's 55-47 win over host Iolani Saturday night. 

Interscholastic League of Honolulu leading scorer JB Kam scored a game-high 17 points to help the visiting Buffanblu remain undefeated in league play. Punahou, ranked No. 2 in the ScoringLive/OC16 Boys Basketball Power Rankings, improved to 4-0 in the league standings while third-ranked Iolani dropped to 2-2.

After one-point victories over Maryknoll (53-52) and Saint Louis (59-58) in the past two games, Punahou coach Darren Matsuda is pleased with his team's efforts against the 2014 Division I state champions. 

"I feel a lot better because we played better as a team" exclaimed Matsuda. "Out of our first four games, I think this was our best game so far as a team. We've shown flashes of this, but we just need to be consistent (more)."

Punahou started the game red hot, converting on its first five field goal attempts. The Buffanblu would finish the opening period with a 17-6 lead on 7-for-11 shooting. 

"I think we just came out aggressive. We executed well and our shots were just falling," said Kam who scored nine of his 17 points in the first quarter on 4-for-4 shooting.

Aiding Punahou's huge first quarter was a turnover-happy Iolani team. The Raiders committed seven of their 10 total turnovers in the first quarter alone.

After Iolani was able to get the early game jitters out of the way, the home team would find a way to get back into it. Punahou went cold in the second quarter (3 of 11 shooting), allowing Iolani to go on a 12-0 run to close out the first half and make it a one-point game at the break.

"I think we were getting too comfortable," said Kam. "We weren't being as aggressive and Iolani came out better. I think they were a little shocked in the beginning, but they came back. They're a good team so they're going to make runs and they made runs in the quarter."

Robbie Mann's hesitation basket in the lane to start the third quarter gave Iolani its first lead of the game, 25-24, but it would also be the Raiders' last. Punahou responded with a 7-0 run and never trailed for the remainder of the game. 

Kam's contested triple ignited the run and fast break buckets from Kanawai Noa closed it out. 

"We were just pushing the ball and getting a lot of points in transition," explained Kam. "We were getting the rebound and (making the) outlet pass."

Punahou took a 36-29 lead into the fourth quarter.

All of Punahou's starters finished with at least five points. Combo guards Dayson Watanabe and Jordan Tanuvasa each scored eight points on the night. Watanabe was the team's assist leader with seven while Tanuvasa's three steals were a game-high. Center Akahi Troske added six and Noa finished with five points.

Leading the reserves for Punahou was Micah Maa with eight points. Kalai Santos added a made 3-pointer and Jared Lum had two assists.

Iolani's leading scorer was Zach Gelacio with 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting. Other key contributors for Iolani were Mann and Bryson Hamada with eight points each. Mann also registered a game-high eight rebounds in the contest.