Damien's Rocklen Mori puts up a shot against Hawaii Baptist. Evan Asato | SL

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Hawaii Baptist's BJ Hosaka heads down the court against Damien. Evan Asato | SL

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Hawaii Baptist's Brent Vargas puts up a shot in the paint against Damien. Evan Asato | SL

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Damien's Kobe Ikari puts up a shot as Hawaii Baptist's John Killough defends. Evan Asato | SL

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Damien's Kapi'ina King blocks a shot attempt by Hawaii Baptist's Ty Minatoya. Evan Asato | SL

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Hawaii Baptist's Ty Minatoya puts up a shot in the paint against Damien. Evan Asato | SL

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Damien's Rocklen Mori puts up a shot as Hawaii Baptist's Ty Minatoya attempts to draw the charge. Evan Asato | SL

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Hawaii Baptist players celebrate after a come-from-behind victory over Damien. Evan Asato | SL

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Fri, Jan 10, 2014 @ Hawaii Baptist

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Damien

48

Hawaii Baptist

51

Final	1	2	3	4
Damien (8-3, 14-8)	13	15	12	8	48
Hawaii Baptist (6-5, 9-9)	13	9	11	18	51

• Points
• Rebounds
• Assists

B. Hosaka 24 pts  14/18 FTs

K. King 17 pts  5/6 FTs

J. Kauwe 11 tot

J. Layco 11 tot

J. Kauwe 1 ast

K. Ikari 1 ast

Nuuanu – Hawaii Baptist clawed its way to the top of the ILH Division II standings, rallying in the fourth quarter after trailing much of the game to stun Damien, 51-48.

Entering the game, both teams sported a 2-0 record against Division II foes and each with a victory over two-time reigning ILH and HHSAA Division II Champion Saint Francis.

Damien seized control in the second quarter, but Hawaii Baptist rallied to within a point with a drive and lay in by junior guard BJ Hosaka to trail 22-21 with 1:40 left to go in the half.

The Monarchs scored the last four points on an alley-oop lay up from sophomore gurad Kobe Ikari to junior Rocky Mori and two free throws from junior forward Kapi'ina King, and took a 28-22 into the intermission.

"We played extremely hard, the effort was there tonight," remarked Damien head coach Alvin Stephenson.

Damien's big men dominated the first half, as 6-foot-7 forward King scored 16 points in the first half alone and 6-foot-4 Mori added 7 for the Monarchs.

"They were all giving us trouble because they're huge," remarked HBA head coach George Weeks about the Damien front court.

Things got interesting at the 4:36 mark of the third with Damien up 33-24, as double technical fouls were handed out to a player on each team. Another Damien foul plus a technical foul with 2:32 left aided the HBA comeback as freshmen guard Ty Minatoya would make four free throws to trail Damien 35-28.

"In that third quarter we talked about playing with good character and sportsmanship because it's not just basketball it's about life here at HBA," Minatoya remarked about the third quarter confusion.

The Monarchs were plagued by foul trouble and had a total of four technical fouls in the game as a team, but still led 40-33 heading into the final period.

The Eagles were not to be denied on Homecoming night in front of a capacity crowd, and played stellar defense throughout, particularly in the last stanza, as they held the Monarchs to just 8 points.

"We never beat big teams like this especially on homecoming, the fans were very loud and very spirited," remarked senior Jordan Kauwe who finished with 4 points, and 11 rebounds.

Hawaii Baptist completed its comeback largely at the free throw line, with Hosaka stepping up to the line to hit two free throws to tie the game at 47.  

Damien's Kobe Ikari went to the line moments later and hit one of two free throws to inch the Monarchs back in front. Ikari, who averages 11.3 points per game in league play, was held to a just 3 points by the Eagles.

"He's a great player and we wanted to limit him to as little touches as possible," said HBA's Minatoya, who guarded Ikari most of the night. Minatoya finished as the second leading scorer for HBA with 12 points, 2 rebounds and 6-for-9 from the free throw line.

Hosaka hit two two more clutch free throws to edge Hawaii Baptist back into the lead at 49-48 with 57 seconds to play. It was the first lead for the Eagles since the opening minutes of the first quarter.

"I practiced hard this week on free throws because I did so bad last game and I wanted to step up for my teammates," Hosaka said about his free throw shooting.  Hosaka finished as the game's leading scorer with 24 points, 2 rebounds and was 14-for-18 from the free throw line.

The Eagles' John Killough padded the lead with another free throw to make the score 50-48, and on the ensuing possession, the Monarchs had a wide open three in the corner on that would have given them the lead that was off the mark.

Following another Hosaka free throw, Damien got one last gasp three-pointer from the top of the key that would have sent the game into overtime, but the attempt glanced off the rim, and sent the homecoming crowd went into celebration mode.

Killough finished with 5 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks.  "It was a great team win and the fans were great, I was able to stay out of foul trouble and get some blocks" commented Killough on the win.

"More relief than anything, I'm just glad the boys responded, it's just one win, it's a long season, Damien will be back in the second half (of the season)," HBA's coach Weeks said.

"I got to give them (HBA) all the credit in the world they fought hard and came out with the victory, we need to work on mental toughness and free throws in the coming week," Damien's coach Stephenson commented after the game. The Monarchs shot just 51 percent from the line.

Damien dropped to 2-1 in league play, while Hawaii Baptist improved to 3-0 atop the ILH Division II standings.