No. 7 Kaimuki pulls away from Nanakuli in the second half, 56-48

Kaimuki's Kaelyn Espinda goes up for a layup against the Golden Hawks in the first round of the Division I state tournament. Greg Yamamoto | SL

Kaelyn Espinda scored 22 points to lead Kaimuki over visiting Nanakuli, 56-48, in the first round of the Snapple/HHSAA Division I state tournament Monday night.

The Bulldogs, the Oahu Interscholastic Association runner-up, will take on Interscholastic League of Honolulu champ and second-seed Maryknoll Thursday in the second quarterfinal at Moanalua's Gymnasium.

Kaimuki led by just two at the break, but outscored the Golden Hawks by nine in the third quarter to pull ahead in the contest.

Senior guard Alana Nuuanu led Nanakuli in its season-ending loss with 21 points, five 3-pointers made and nine rebounds.