Mueller by 4 at State Open

Something about Hawaii agrees with Jesse Mueller.

The 2009 Hawaii Pearl Open champion shot a 5-under 67 yesterday on the Palmer Course at Turtle Bay to take a sizable advantage into today's final round of the $45,000 Hawaii State Open.

The Mesa, Ariz., resident has a two-day total of 11-under 133 and leads Steve Watanabe Jr. (70) by four and Dean Wilson (69) by five.

A record 261 golfers from around the state and mainland took part in the 54-hole event that ends today. Kirk Nelson leads the senior division and Cyd Okino is first in the women's division.

Wahine advance in Las Vegas

The Hawaii women's basketball team posted an impressive 49-point second half to rally past Kansas State 71-61 in the Duel in the Desert tournament at UNLV last night.

UH (4-5) trailed by as many as 20 points in the first half and 14 points at halftime, but stifled the Wildcats (4-6) behind the 3-point line after yielding 10 KSU treys in the first half.

“;We made an adjustment on the defensive end and were able to neutralize their hot hand at the 3-point line,”; UH coach Dana Takahara-Dias said in a postgame phone interview. “;Then we were able to take a lot of isolation shots (offensively) and were able to execute well in halfcourt sets.”;

Senior forward Dita Liepkalne led UH with 15 points and eight assists, while Julita Bungaite added 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The Rainbow Wahine had only four second-half turnovers and advance to face host UNLV (5-5) in the semifinals today at 5:30 p.m. Hawaii time. There is no TV or radio coverage, but live stats are available online.

Reardon speaks at QB Club

Star-Bulletin sports columnist Dave Reardon is tomorrow's guest speaker at the Honolulu Quarterback Club luncheon at the Pagoda Hotel International Ballroom.

Reardon recently traveled to the NCAA volleyball final four in Tampa, Fla., where Hawaii fell to eventual champion Penn State in the semifinals.

The luncheon program starts at noon and is open to the public.

PACWEST PLACE

UHH tops BYUH in hoops

Hina Kimitete scored 20 points on 5-for-7 shooting, Kayce Kirihara and Hotia Vaaimamao added 10 apiece, and Hawaii-Hilo routed Brigham Young-Hawaii 71-52 last night on the Big Island.

UHH (3-7) shot 6-for-13 on 3-pointers (led by Kimitete's 3-for-6) and a whopping 65 percent from the field overall.

BYUH (3-5) got 17 points from Mahina Gago and 13 from Madison Kite but shot just 31.5 percent from the field.

BYUH men beat Simon Fraser

Virgil Buensuceso scored 24 points and Rory Patterson added 15 to lead the BYUH men's basketball team to a 69-59 win over Simon Fraser last night at the Cannon Activities Center in Laie.

The Seasiders (6-2) shot 47.1 percent from the field to hold off Simon Fraser in the second half. The Clan (8-5) were led by Kevin Shaw with 19 points.