Punahou roars past Sierra Pacific to notch first win in Paani Basketball Invitational

Ahnastaziah Wright (23) goes up for a layup in transition and led the Buffanblu with 16 points to clinch their first win in their own Invitational. Brandon Ching

Ahnastaziah Wright netted 16 points and Keilani Stewart added 14 to help the Buffanblu beat Sierra Pacific (Hanford, California), 50-42 in the nightcap of the Punahou Paani Basketball Invitational at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

Punahou dropped its first two games in the Invitational to Campbell (49-43) and San Juan Hills (San Juan Capistrano, California) (62-41) but got back on track with a win over the Golden Bears.

Wright and Stewart combined to hit 13 of the team's 14 free throw attempts.

Apjok Ayuen led Sierra Pacific with 10 points with a pair of triples and gave the Golden Bears a 23-14 lead.

The Buffanblu got within one, 23-22 after a 8-0 run. Kaua McNamara cut down the middle, Halia Hoapili added a 3-pointer and Stewart completed a 3-point play.

Nyang Ayuen converted a pair of free throws for a 25-22 lead at halftime.

Wright broke up a 29-all tie with a transition bucket and Stewart followed up with a pair of free throws. Wright converted an assist from Stewart and Piialoha Lloyd hit a jumper before Wright swished free throws to cap a 10-0 run to go up 10 going into the fourth.

The Buffanblu led by as much as 17 in the final period before the Golden Bears went on a 11-2 run to close out the game.

Andi Jones and Jonna Bush each added eight points for the Golden Bears.

Punahou faces San Clemente (California) tomorrow at 10 am while Sierra Pacific takes on Campbell at 11:30 am on the final day of the Invitational.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].