Pupu Sepulona scored a game-high 19 points and converted the three-point play with 26.6 seconds left in the fourth to preserve the win. Brandon Ching | SL

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Tue, Jan 10, 2023 @ Saint Louis

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Iolani

40

Saint Louis

44

Final	1	2	3	4
Iolani (8-5, 20-11)	12	4	12	12	40
Saint Louis (9-4, 27-7)	10	10	9	15	44

P. Sepulona 19 pts  3 3pm  4/5 FTs

K. Lau Kong 16 pts  0/0 FTs

After a tough eight-point loss to Kamehameha-Kapalama over the weekend, No. 3 Saint Louis bounced back and held off No. 2 Iolani, 44-40, at the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletic Center Tuesday.

Pupu Sepulona led all scorers with 19 points and three 3-pointers and converted a crucial three-point play late in the fourth quarter to help the Crusaders improve to 3-1 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu standings.

"Today's game we worked together and locked in before the game. Our chemistry was back in position. I think everybody woke up from the Kamehameha game and we put out everything on today's game to get the win," Sepulona said.

The Crusaders, who held a one point lead, 41-40, inbounded the ball from the sideline and Sepulona drove with a head of steam, spun and was fouled by Kaimana Lau Kong as he went glass.

"That is a play I always do. I spin to my left, that's my go-to move, my favorite move. I think while I was driving to my right and spin back to my left and finished with my left," Sepulona said.

He made the dagger free throw to put Saint Louis up four with 26.6 seconds left on the clock. The loss to Oakwood in the Punahou Invitational final was on his mind, but had a chance to redeem himself 11 days later.

"To this day, I couldn't stop thinking about missing those two free throws. I lost it for my team against Oakwood. Today I locked in and stayed focused on the free throw line and did my routine and it went in."

Aidan Wong's 3-point attempt from the wing was no good and the ball was batted around before Jordan Posiulai secured the rebound.

"The game could've gone either way. This is the ILH. Whoever makes the plays at the end that ends up winning. Pupu is such a dangerous scorer, he's constantly looking at the basket and that's our thing with him, ‘If you have a good take, take it.'" That was a tough shot," Saint Louis coach Dan Hale said.

Saint Louis trailed after the first quarter but outscored Iolani 10 to 4 in the second quarter. Sepulona's putback before the buzzer gave the Crusaders a 20-16 lead at half-time.

The third quarter went through three lead changes before Akila Indalecio tied the game at 25 with a jumper. The Sepulona-Posiulai tandem scored the next four points. Lyons scored on a drive and Indalecio made his first free throw but his second attempt was waived off because of a lane violation and trailed, 29-28 going into the fourth.

Casey Lyons picked up his fourth foul early in the fourth, brought the Raiders within two, 32-30 off a cut. Posiulai was the next leading scorer for the Crusaders with 10 and Sepulona found him underneath on the block.

"Especially how big they (Iolani) and good inside. Jordan countered that a little bit with their bigs," Hale said.

"I'm happy for him, that's my boy. When I shoot the ball, he rebounds for me and it's a blessing to play with him. I feel like me and him have a bond. He knows my game, I know his game, we complement each other. Me and him on the court is just dangerous," Sepulona said of Posiulai.

Keanu Meacham scored all his points in the fourth and had a steal and layup for a 36-30 lead.

"Keanu sat for a while and came in a got some big baskets. We're so young and he's a freshman. He's learning his points and how to to contribute any way he can. I thought Brevin Hafalia came in and gave us some good minutes. He's so long and got some good tips. When you play a team like that you need everybody," Hale said.

Indalecio pulled the Raiders within two, but Sepulona answered with his third triple. Meacham had another steal and fast break layup and Lau Kong scored six points in the paint to bring Iolani within one with 1:19 remaining but could not get any closer.

"Pupu hit the big 3 and that was a big lift and we got some hustle plays in the end," Hale said.

Lau Kong scored a team-high 16 points and Indalecio added 12 for the Raiders, who dropped its second-consecutive game to 2-2.

Saint Louis goes to No. 1 Maryknoll (4-0) on Thursday, Jan. 12 while Iolani goes to Punahou (1-3) on the same night.

Both teams will face each other again on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Iolani.