Brien Ing | SL

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Brien Ing | SL

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Defending Division I state champion Saint Louis got all it could handle from Kohala, but the Crusaders rode a big third quarter and some key halftime adjustments to prevail 45-42 on the final day of the Kapaa Invitational held at the Warriors' gymnasium.

Trailing 23-17 at the break, the Crusaders leaned on Sepulona, who delivered on both the inside and the perimeter, notching 10 points and two big three point shots, one coming at the third quarter buzzer.

"It was good, it was for my team," Sepulona remarked on the go-ahead shot that ended the quarter. "We needed that to get that lead going into the fourth quarter."

Saint Louis coupled Sepulona's offensive output along with racheted up the perimeter pressure, in particular on Layden Kauka and his brother Landon, who combined for 21 of the Cowboys 23 points in the first two quarters, to turn the tide.

"During halftime we just focused and locked in," said Sepulona. "The first half we kind of started slow but second half we started to pick it up and we knew who was the shooters and we locked down and played as a team on defense."

Despite the lack of output from their first half weapons, Kohala hung around, getting two big threes from Isaac Libron and had the opportunity to tie the contest in the final seconds, but Libron's last gasp step around three at the buzzer was off target.

A trio of Crusaders chipped in seven points, post Jordan Posiulai, and guards Shancin Revuelto and JC Ramos.

"Our coach always says to always get better," said Sepulona. "Even though we play D2 or D1, its all about getting better for the ILH season."