The O'ahu Interscholastic Association's reigning Division I champs prevailed over an upstart former DII champion last night, as Roosevelt rallied past visiting Kalani, 48-46, in a Red Conference Eastern Division showdown.

A near-capacity crowd of about 600 watched the Rough Riders improve to 4-0 in the OIA Red East. The Falcons fell to 3-1.

"We were nervous, I had butterflies before the game," said Roosevelt junior guard Iwalani Rodrigues, who finished with a game-high 16 points. "This was like a championship game for us."

Kalani, which won the Division II state championship in 2006, was promoted to the OIA's top-tier Red Conference this season and looks to be well-suited for the challenge with several key returnees plus some standout newcomers.

"Kalani has a great team and they're very disciplined," Roosevelt coach Bobby Keanini said. "Scouting them, I saw how they are disciplined and take quality shots."

The Falcons led throughout the first half and took a 19-16 lead into the break, but Roosevelt quickly went up, 22-19, in the third period after back-to-back 3-pointers by Tiana Sugui and Tiyana Nakasone.

The Falcons then went on a 7-0 run and eventually led 30-26 heading into the final quarter.

But the Rough Riders took the lead for good on another 3-pointer by Sugui to make it 31-30, and they sealed the victory by sinking 10 of 13 free throws in the final 2:41.

Rodrigues' two free throws with 1.5 seconds remaining gave Roosevelt a 48-43 lead, and Kalani guard Megan Kamehiro swished a shot from halfcourt as time expired.

"We kept our composure and stayed within ourselves," Keanini said.

Falcons coach Darold Imanaka said much of the Rough Riders' success came from the line — both the 3-point line and free throw line.

Roosevelt was 17 of 28 on free throws, while Kalani finished 9 of 14. The Rough Riders also made all five of their 3-pointers in the second half, after hitting none in the first two periods.

"They were three feet beyond (the arc), so there's not much you can do," Imanaka said.

Courtney Gaddis led the Falcons with 14 points.

KALANI (3-1) 12 7 11 16 — 46

ROOSEVELT (4-0) 5 11 10 22 — 48

KALANI — Megan Kamehiro 7, Courtney Gaddis 14, Kim Cabuyadao 8, Violet Alama 2, Allison Neussi 0, Chloe Martin 8, Kacie Gushiken 0, Chaude Bonafacio 0, Rhianna Farm 7. Totals 16 9-14 46.

ROOSEVELT — Dianna Zane 8, Tiana Sugui 6, Iwalani Rodrigues 16, Jayna Tasaka 0, Shandree Armstead 2, Tiyana Nakasone 13, Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole 3. Totals 13 17-28 48. 3-point goals: Kalani 5 (Cabuyadao 2, Martin 2, Kamehiro). Roosevelt 5 (Nakasone 3, Sugui 2). JV — Roosevelt 39, Kalani 35

KALAHEO 43, MOANALUA 37

Shanadee Canon scored eight of her 15 points in the fourth quarter, helping the host Mustangs hold off Na Menehune in an OIA Red Eastern Division game.

Britni Ronolo scored 18 points to lead Moanalua.

MOANALUA (0-4) 13 3 10 11 — 37

KALAHEO (2-2) 13 7 7 16 — 43

MOANALUA — Brianna Lagat-Ramos 9, A.J. Berida 0, Deena Dela-Cruz 1, Michelle Hardy 0, Jalecia Brown 0, Janelle Ungango 0, Jamie Ronolo 6, Inda Widyakusuma 0, Britni Ronolo 18, Dawn Dela-Cruz 3, Tahirah Gibson 0. Totals 11 13-20 37.

KALAHEO — Nicole Cobb 2, Delicia Wilson 6, Caira Pires 3, Nova Bird 4, Anu Ah Yun 7, Shanadee Canon 15, Kourtni Thomas 6, Hoku Malama-Custer 0, Kaina Wasson 0. Totals 14 14-23 43. 3-point goals: Moanalua 2 (Lagat-Ramos, B. Ronolo). Kalaheo 1 (Canon). JV — Kalaheo 32, Moanalua 24

Reported by Lindsey Nakashima

OIA RED WEST

PEARL CITY 40, 'AIEA 39

Jazmine Pahukoa-Malia scored 17 points, including a free throw with one second left to lift the Chargers over Na Ali'i in an OIA Red Western Division game.

Natasha Helsham scored 12 points for 'Aiea, which led 21-19 at intermission.

'AIEA (3-2) 11 10 8 10 — 39

PEARL CITY (3-2) 7 12 13 8 — 40

'AIEA — Tasha Johnson 0, Jennifer Yuen 4, Natasha Helsham 12, Natasha Fong 0, Annie Orial 0, Michelle Shiroma 5, Sara Watanabe 0, Nohe Fonoti 0, Chelsea Albrecht 4, Tierra Tauanuu 0, Emily Tausaga 2, Caroline Sio 2, Capri Holiona 10. Totals 13 13-22 39.

PEARL CITY — Ariel Rivera 0, Tiffany Gadingang 1, Desiree Luis 4, Kasie Kunishima 0, Charee Heard 0, Kalei Adams 3, Ariel Komomua 6, Kaiona Auyong 7, Jazmine Pahukoa-Malia 17, Patricia Langi 2, Tearaina Meyer 0. Totals 12 16-34 40. 3-point goals: 'Aiea 1 (Helsham). JV — 'Aiea 30, Pearl City 23

Reported by Mary Kate Ashley Naanos

OIA WHITE

CASTLE 43, WAIALUA 32

Niki Kobashigawa scored 16 points and Kori Berinobis 10 to lead the visiting Knights past the Bulldogs in an OIA White game.

Kimberley Meyerowitz led all scorers with 21 points for the Bulldogs.

CASTLE (2-3) 14 14 9 6 — 43

WAIALUA (2-2) 5 3 10 14 — 32

CASTLE — Kori Berinobis 10, Candy Ames 0, Niki Kobashigawa 16, Kelsea Berinobis 5, Sarah Phromisiri 2, Brandee Sasaki 0, Chevy Au-Stein 6, Leesha Domingo 0, Ette Ameperosa 4, Nicole Aberilla 0. Totals not available.

WAIALUA — Klleirr Tuyay 2, Shiree Dela Cruz 0, Misty Maxwell 0, Salvie Alfanta 0, Kimberley Meyerowitz 21, Geena Pinacate 0, Chelsey Ramirez 5, Brittney Basillo 2, Ashley Carillo 2, Noe Dela Pena-Ho'opai 0. Totals not available. 3-point goals: Castle 3 (Ko. Berinobis 2, Ke. Berinobis). Waialua 1 (Ramirez). JV — Castle 52, Waialua 31

Reported by Isaiah Ramirez

WAI'ANAE 62, 'ANUENUE 8

Dynasty Ayala scored 12 points, Danielle Lovell added 11 and the host Seariders raced to a 35-3 halftime lead in rolling past Na Koa in an OIA White game.

'ANUENUE (0-5) 1 2 5 0 — 8

WAI'ANAE (3-2) 17 18 17 10 — 62

'ANUENUE — Ka'imi Asing 1, Kamaile Grilho 0, Kapela Kahili 0, Na'alehu Tolentino 0, Kenui Wahilani 2, Leikula Gottleib 3, Nalani Kamano 2, Pua'alekai Kimball-Aikau 0, Pikake Conradt-Nunuha 0. Totals 3 1-11 8.

WAI'ANAE — Danielle Lovell 11, Brittni Dinong 4, Chaelyn Manuel 7, Kahealani Kelii 6, Emma Atiga 8, Dynasty Ayala 12, Genevieve Cuesta 1, Ngaire Yuen 2, Asioga Tago 5, Melody Moe 6. Totals 27 6-10 62. 3-point goals: 'Anuenue 1 (Gottleib). Wai'anae 2 (Manuel, Tago).

Reported by Kevin Nakamoto

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.