Maryknoll's Alexis Delovio puts up a jump shot against Punahou. Delovio scored 16 points in the Spartans' win over the Buffanblu. CJ Caraang | SL

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01311621_20160130-HU2A0311_GBKB_PUN_MS_cjcaraang.jpg - CJ Caraang | SL

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MAKIKI — The basketball gods had their way and made sure the point differential between the two teams was three points once again.

Maryknoll used a huge third quarter and weathered Punahou's late game hack-a-Spartan tactics to spoil the Buffanblu's senior night, 66-63 in both team's regular season finale at the Hemmeter Fieldhouse Saturday. All three meetings in league play between the two teams were decided by three points. 

The victory also guarantees the Spartans one of the two Interscholastic League of Honolulu's two spots in the Division I state tournament. They can capture the league's overall title and first round bye in the state tourney by winning the ILH's postseason single-elimination, which begins next week.

Alexis Delovio and Chayse Milne had 16 points apiece to lead the Spartans in the victory. Rhianne Omori added 10 points and Kamalu Kamakawiwoole chipped in nine more. 

The Spartans took a 29-26 advantage into the break and surged ahead to a 49-36 lead after three quarters of play.

"We attacked the bucket and we used our quickness a little bit," said Maryknoll coach Chico Furtado. "Chayse was able to hit a big 3-pointer, we started spreading it out and we was doing a good job."

Maryknoll took its largest lead of the game, 63-47 on Omori's made free throw with 2:44 left in regulation, but could not seal the deal at the free throw line as Punahou strategically committed fouls to conserve the clock.

In total the Spartans were 21-for-44 from the free throw line by the time the night was over. 

Punahou whittled the lead down to five after senior post Tyra Moe completed a three-point play with 40.7 left in the fourth quarter. Although Maryknoll missed four straight free throws on its next possession, the Spartans' defense came through in the final minute.

Milne forced a Punahou turnover on the other end and got sent to the line with 22 ticks remaining. She split her two attempts at the line and the Spartans were able to deny Punahou any quick shot attempts. Heaven Wong hoisted a 3-pointer at the top of the arc to cut the lead to three, but time ran out before Maryknoll had to inbound the ball. 

"Punahou's a good team," Furtado said on Malufau's absence. "They're not going to roll over and die. I thought we had the right game plan when we were up, but we go to the line and we just lay and egg in the fourth quarter. I don't know what it was, free throw wise, but that was horrendous. We got to short that up and get better."

The Buffanblu were dealt a big blow to their lineup when senior center Vae Malufau dislocated her shoulder during pregame warmups. Punahou coach Liz Kam said Malufau's status for next week's single-elimination tournament is still uncertain. 

"That definitely hurt them," said Furtado. "That kid is a tough matchup for us. A healthy Vae would have obviously helped them." 

Moe had a big game in Malufau's absence, scoring a season-high 24 points on 8-for-14 shooting with 17 rebounds. Guard Kamaile Kandiah led the perimeter effort with 16 points and Elle Uyeda added nine points and five assists.

Although her team could not pull off the comeback, Kam was extremely pleased with her team's performance.

"I'm really proud of them for fighting to the end," she said. "There was one point where the game seemed it was too many points away, but the girls continued to fight and they didn't give up on themselves or their teammates."