KEAAU – From the field and free-throw line, nothing was falling for Keaau all night long against Pahoa, which played a tough 1-3-1 zone, until points were desperately needed from Patrick Mears.
Mears hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime to lift Keaau over the Daggers 43-41 in it BIIF season-opener on Friday night at the Cougars Gym, where the home crowd exploded in celebration.
Keaau’s victory spoiled the freshman debut of 5-foot-10 forward Damon Romero, who scored a game-high 23 points, racing to the rim and drilling step-back jump shots.
Mears finished with 18 points, sinking 8 of 10 from the line, Reynaldo Arcellana added nine points, and Delvin Ongais-Kilaulani had six points for the Division I Cougars (1-0), who shot just 22 percent (11 of 50) from the floor and made 13 of 25 free throws.