Keoni Tom-Millare accounted for 22 of his team's points including 4 three-pointers. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Alex Fant (25) throws in a 3-pointer past St. Francis' Matthew Nuumanaia (10). Sean Nakamura | SL

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Damien's Matthew Nuumanaia (10) throws a 3-pointer attempt over Damien's Nick Arakaki (15). Sean Nakamura | SL

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Sat, Feb 2, 2013 @ Damien

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Saint Francis

84

Damien

69

Final	1	2	3	4
Saint Francis (9-0, 25-5)	23	22	20	19	84
Damien (10-2, 12-9)	14	15	14	26	69

• Points
• Rebounds
• Assists

K. King 19 pts  3/7 FTs

K. Tom-Millare 22 pts  4 3pm  2/3 FTs

K. King 14 tot

S. Lynton 9 tot

A. Fant 3 ast

S. Lynton 3 ast

Saint Francis continued an undefeated run through the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II ranks with an 84-69 road win over Damien. Both teams entered the contest at (7-0), but it was the Saints of St. Francis that came up on top (8-0).

"I thought it was good, we played strong defense and we stayed to our task and we were focusing," exclaimed St. Francis Coach Solomon Batoon. "We were focusing on just being efficient on our offense and being patient with the ball and go inside."

Keoni Tom-Millare led St. Francis with 22 points and four triples, shooting 57% from the field. Tom-Millare was also instrumental in cooling off a late Monarch run.

The Saints outscored the Damien Monarchs in each of the first three quarters putting the home team in a 65-43 hole entering the fourth quarter.

"If we get out there and get a good lead, then we run our flex or our motion," expressed Batoon. "We were patient with it so we can run the clock; and then go inside when the opportunity is there instead of forcing it."

Despite the 22 point deficit, Damien would not go quietly. After the first minute of play in the fourth, the Monarchs went on a 6-0 run thanks to some blocked shots on defense. Nick Arakaki and Kapiina King each blocked a shot to help spur the fourth quarter surge. King finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds giving him a double-double for the afternoon.

Arakaki was the man of the hour in the fourth quarter for the Monarchs. With the score 67-48 in favor of the visiting team, Arakaki went on to score the next 11 points for Damien. Arakaki’s scoredin a variety of ways, hitting a reverse lay-up, a trey, free throws, and even a pull-up jumper. He also finished with 19 points, an assist and two block shots.

The home team would battle back but would only get as close as 15 points. Tom-Millare only scored four points in the fourth but he made key hustle plays to keep the Monarchs at bay ranging from offensive rebounds and diving after loose balls to retain possession.

"I was trying to motivate my team to keep playing ball until the buzzer ends," said Tom-Millare.

"Defensively we had a few assignment mismatches but we corrected it and they played well and they played together, that was important," said Batoon on the win.

The Saints will play their final game of the season on Tuesday against University High. A win would give St. Francis an undefeated season. Damien (7-1) needs a win over Hawaii Baptist and a loss by the Saints force a one-game playoff for the regular season title.