Japan pro, golf writer share Pearl lead

Norihiko Furusho, a 37-year-old pro, and Hiroyuki Naito, a 35-year-old golf writer, both from Japan, shot 5-under 67s Friday to share the lead after the first round of the Hawaii Pearl Open tournament at Pearl Country Club.

Furusho recorded eight birdies and three bogeys, and Naito carded an eagle, six birdies and three bogeys.

Only 14 of the 175 players broke par Friday.

Furusho divides his time between the Challenge and JGTO tours. Naito writes and blogs about his golf experiences.

They lead by two shots over Dan Kupfer and Jae Ho Kim.

Nick Mason, a Leilehua and UH-Hilo alum who finished second the past two years, is tied for fifth after a 2-under 70. Another pro, Parker McLachlin, shot 73.

Defending champions Kevin Hayashi (75, t43), David Ishii (78, t88) and Lance Suzuki (79, t99) are far back.

BYUH women beat Notre Dame de Namur

Shayla Washington had 24 points, 11 rebounds and four steals to lead the Brigham Young-Hawaii women’s basketball team to a 74-55 victory over Notre Dame de Namur in a Pacific West Conference game Friday at Cannon Activities Center in Laie.

Taylor Mann added 14 points and 12 rebounds for BYUH (4-16 and 3-9).

Trisha Malaspina scored 13 points for Notre Dame de Namur (15-5, 3-9).

UH-Hilo softball team sweeps

Jessica Pepin got a win and a save as the University of Hawaii-Hilo breezed to early leads in both games in sweeping Cal State Stanislaus, 9-1 and 6-2, Friday at UH field.

Aisha Sueda drove in three runs in the first game and batted 2-for-3 in the second. UH-Hilo (5-1) scored four runs in each of the first two innings in the first game en route to a 9-0 lead, then scored five runs in the first in the second game. Pepin pitched a five-inning complete game, allowing no earned runs in the first game, then pitched 2 2/3 innings to earn the save for winner Ashley Nelson in the second.

Brittany Spencer batted 2-for-2 with two RBIs in the first game, and Emily Greene batted 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the second.