Brien Ing | SL

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_23012835__RI_7007.jpg - Brien Ing | SL

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Justin Yap scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half as top-ranked Maryknoll pulled away from No. 2 Iolani, 42-28, at the Maryknoll Community Center Saturday afternoon.

The Spartans (9-4) defeated the Raiders (8-5) three days ago, 40-33 to determine the seeding in the ILH single elimination tournament and held the visitors to their lowest scoring output on the season.

Maryknoll faces Punahou (7-5) in the tournament final on Monday at 6 p.m.

"Everyone took it serious in the pregame. A lot of seniors were stepping and we want to make sure it was not our last game," Yap said.

Yap scored his points on 5-of-10 shooting and was perfect from the foul line. He grabbed four rebounds along with an assist and steal.

Since starting the ILH season 2-3, Iolani won six of their next eight games, but their season comes to a close with a 8-5 record.

No player scored in double figures for the Raiders and were held to their lowest scoring output of the season. Akila Indalecio finished with six and Kaimana Lau Kong grabbed 12 rebounds.

Maryknoll jumped out to an early lead 10-2 before Kyle Koga converted a 3-pointer from the corner off Aiden Wong's pass to trail, 10-5 going into the second.

"We try to move the ball well. We try to be patient and take quality shots," Yap said.

"We talk about quality shots. If we feel like we shoot more quality shots than our opponent, then we have a better chance of winning. I thought we had more quality shots today. I think the poise, these kids are starting to figure out how to play the game so we're successful," Maryknoll coach Kelly Grant said.

Kaimana Lau Kong added a putback to bring Iolani within two. Fabian Camacho answered with a jumper and Yap drained a 3 to extend the lead to seven with 2:27 to go. Akila Indalecio and Wong combined for the next four points, but Yap hit his second triple as time expired to give Maryknoll a 20-14 lead at halftime.

"Just warming up good. Just staying warm at halftime and pregame. We rest our bodies well," Yap said of staying fresh.

Yap scored the four opening points to start the third and his jumper put the Spartans up 10 and forced a Raider timeout. Indalecio converted a 3-point play and Casey Lyons went 3-for-4 from the free throw line as Iolani trailed, 25-20 going into the fourth.

Yap and Luke Tobin traded 3-pointers to start the fourth. Camacho converted Marumoto's assist and Yap hit the next four free throws to put the Spartans up 11. Yap finished 8-for-8 from the free throw line and is shooting 77.1 percent on the season.

Camacho finished with eight and Zion Milare with three but had five rebounds to lead the team.

"Zion did an excellent job today. He made some good passes and had big time rebounds. He was the smallest guy on the floor. At practice we've been talking about it. He plays really good defense, he will turn and watch. I told him, ‘We're undersized and coming from the top side, you have the best angle. With you're running and jumping, you can jump as high as anybody else,'" Grant said.

Both teams closed out their scoring in the fourth from the free throw line. Maryknoll shot 8-for-10 (80 percent) while Iolani shot 3-for-5 (60 percent).

Maryknoll won the season series, 3-1, and their lone loss to the Raiders came on Jan. 17.