There will be no savior from Sin City for the Kaimuki Bulldogs.

Maybe, though, they won't need one. Kaimuki got nine points from Gabriel Stietzel and eight from Elijah Morita while limiting Farrington to 35 percent shooting for a 48-33 win last night at Moanalua's gym.

Coach Kelly Grant's Bulldogs continued to show steady improvement after struggling in nonconference play. The Bulldogs are 4-2 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East, including Tuesday's win over No. 5 Kalaheo.

The Bulldogs learned this week that former standout Desmond Tautofi will not return from Las Vegas as expected. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound senior moved there in the fall. During a visit home during the holidays, he told the Bulldogs that he expected to return to Oahu after today, when the semester ends at his school, Calvary Chapel.

Since then, however, UNLV offered him a football scholarship, and since committing to the Rebels, Tautofi has decided to remain in Las Vegas with an older brother.

“;He's staying up there,”; said Stietzel, who also had four assists. “;He got a full ride, so he's not coming back. As time has gone on, we figured we can play without him.”;

The Bulldogs (9-9 overall) were crisp and opportunistic against the Governors. They shot 53 percent from the field (16-for-30), drilling four treys in the first half.

Farrington shot 12-for-34 from the field and stayed close on the boards with 19 to Kaimuki's 20, but 20 turnovers hurt the Govs.

Farrington had an early 7-3 lead, but the Bulldogs dissected the Govs' 2-3 zone and went on a 10-0 run behind 3-pointers by Stietzel and Tevin Nishiyama.

Farrington got within 13-10 on a layup and foul shot by Lancelot Williams, but got no closer against Kaimuki's sticky 2-3 matchup zone.

Williams, double- and triple-teamed by Kaimuki in the low post, finished with a team-high eight points for the Govs (0-5), all in the first half.

Kaimuki led 20-12 at the half and went on a 13-4 run to start the third quarter. Chester Sua scored on back-to-back feeds for layups on the break to give the 'Dogs a commanding 33-16 lead to close the third.

Farrington mustered a spark midway through the fourth quarter after reserve Clem Rarogal entered the game for the first time. The Govs pulled within 38-25 after Ronald Williams hit a 3-pointer and a putback, followed by a foul shot from Gregie Bupgos.