The league’s leading player hobbled off with a foot injury and did not return.
That robbed the visitors of a lot of rebounding clout and offensive power in the final quarter.
Despite her absence, the Hoiho took the game deep.
Point guard Paige Bradley (20 points) hit a couple of three-pointers to set up a tense finish. Zoe Richards demonstrated her resolve with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds.
But IImar'I Thomas was irrepressible. She slotted 29 points in an impressive all-round display, and Penina Davidson had a lot of success under the rim as well. She snatched a game-high 16 rebounds and added 15 points.
Tess Madgen was instrumental as well with 18 points. She landed some critical triples.
The game started in much brighter fashion for Prechtel. She took advantage of her size and rolled in a shot from close range with the game just seconds old.
Bradley drilled a couple of free throws, but the home team responded with a three-pointer from Madgen.
Ahlise Hurst struck back for the visitors with four quick points and Richards landed a late triple to restrict the lead to three at the first break.
That lead blew out to 10. Akiene-Tera Reed made a nice move to the hoop, Madgen snapped in a three-pointer and Thomas landed a jumper.
Richards was doing her best to keep her side in the contest. She grabbed an offensive board, dribbled it out of the paint, sold a fake to her opponent and drilled a three.
But having sliced a chunk out of the lead, Madgen hit a three and the Kāhu established a 39-31 halftime lead.
The Hoiho continued to struggle from beyond the arc. But Bradley made some nice drives to the cup. Prechtel dished a couple of quality assists. And Richard’s determination kept dragging the visitors back into the contest.
But Thomas was just making things happen. She finished off a fast break and landed another couple from the free throw line.
Bradley compensated for Prechtel’s fourth quarter absence by stroking in a couple of three-pointers to boost the resolve.
But Thomas and Davidson teamed up in the paint and the game slipped away.
In the rapid league game the Kāhu fought back from a 17-12 deficit to beat the Hoiho 32-20.
In the other matches yesterday, the Whai beat the Mainland Pauākai 92-83 but lost the rapid league game 44-26.
The scores
Northern Kāhu 82
IImar'I Thomas 29, Tess Madgen 18
Southern Hoiho 75
Paige Bradley 20, Zoe Richards 19
Quarter scores: 19-16, 39-31, 64-54.
