The Kalani girls basketball team continued its winning ways with a 57-26 win over host Kalaheo in an OIA East contest at Pete Smith Court Tuesday night.

The Falcons were strong defensively in the first quarter and held the Mustangs without a field goal as they took a 17-5 lead after the first eight minutes of play and never looked back.

It was the fourth win in a row for Kalani (11-5 overall, 4-3 league), who dropped its first three games of the regular season.

“The first three losses that we had, we definitely dwelled on it and then we just gave up before our coaches told us not to get it in our heads too much and that we still have a bunch of more games in the season to turn it around,” said junior forward Alina Stephenson.

“Coming together as a team is definitely one thing that we improved on. Beginning of the season, it was a little rough because I think we’re worried about ourselves and individually, so coming together is definitely one thing better I would say.”

Stephenson poured in a game-high 20 points while garnering many steals and rebounds and earned HSRN’s “VIP of the Game” award, which is presented by Fun Factory.

Kalani also got seven made 3-pointers in the game, highlighted by Kylie Awakuni’s season-high 12 points on four triples off the bench.

“I’m super proud of her,” Stephenson said of Awakuni. “I think that’s the best she’s ever done and I’m so happy that she came and stepped up to the game.”

Isabelle Baker scored nine points with one made triple after battling with foul trouble while Mia Garvin rounds out the top scorers with eight points. Which included back-to-back 3-pointers to give Kalani a 12-2 lead early in the game

Kalaheo, who was dealing with a number of injuries, dropped to 1-9 and 1-7.

Taysha Ukauka was a bright spot for the Mustangs with 16 points.