Saint Louis pulls away from Mililani in low-scoring affair

Pupu Sepulona (35) muscles his way to the basket and scored a game-high 17 points in the win over the Trojans Brandon Ching | SL

In a rematch of last year's championship game, Pupu Sepulona's 17 points powered defending Division I state champion Saint Louis over Mililani, 33-26, in the nightcap of the 23rd Annual Jim Alegre Invitational.

Jordan Posiulai, who was the Crusaders' next leading scorer with nine, tied the game at 22 at the 6:26 mark in the fourth after splitting a pair of free throws.

Sepulona gave Saint Louis the lead momentarily, but Lauvai Pine tied the game at 24. The Crusaders went back to Sepulona whose basket in the paint at the 3:14 mark gave them the lead for good.

Saint Louis struggled from the free throw line the whole game, shooting 12 of 25, but Jiovanni Ramos and Shancin Revuelto made it count to combine to shoot 5 of 6 down the stretch.

Ezekiel Virtudes got Mililani within five with 35.0 seconds left, but Sepulona and Revuelto combined to shoot 2 of 4 from the charity stripe to put it out of reach.

Jayden Kipapa led the Trojans with nine points and next leading scorers were Pine and Creighton Ofsonka with four each.

The Crusaders beat the Trojans in the state championship, 57-34 and 63-61 in the preseason last year.

Saint Louis wraps up the weekend with Honokaa at 12 noon while Mililani takes on Punahou at 5:15 pm.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].