Baldwin guard Gabriel Ross made two clutch free-throws with 3.7 seconds to play in regulation to lift the Bears to a 41-39 win over Leilehua, securing a spot in the Division I semifinals of the Hawaiian Airlines/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships.

Leilehua would tie the score with 1:26 to play, when Cody Halvorson received the ball in stride at the top of the key and hit nothing but net to even the score at 39-all.

On the ensuing possession, Baldwin would turn the ball over at the 24.6 second mark, when Ross was called for traveling.

The Mules would put up a three-point attempt from the right corner with just under 10 seconds to play that came off the rim long and was tapped around before eventually ending up in the hands of Ross, who would be fouled in the act of shooting with just under four seconds to play.

Ross had missed 3 of his last four attempts from the stripe, but showed no signs of those previous misses in swishing home both attempts to give the Bears a two-point cushion.

"My coaches told me to relax and focus like we do in practice and I was able to relax and compose myself." said Ross, who led the Bears with 13 points.

Head coach Wayne Gushiken added, "He knew he had them (the free throws), he's done that in several games in the MIL."

On the final play of regulation, the Mules threw a desperation pass to about three-quarter court, but the ball was deflected by a Baldwin player, and bounced around as time expired.

Baldwin's front line made a big impact, with Bradley Bowlin (8 points) and Pasoni Tasini (9 points) contributing baskets in the painted area, as well as making plays on the defensive end.

"They did (make an impact), especially when we lost a little ground when Tasini got into foul trouble and had to leave the game, it made a big difference." said Gushiken.

Halvorson led the Mules with 10 points, including two three-pointers, amd post Penetito Melei added nine in the loss.

Baldwin will face the top-seeded Punahou Buffanblu in a 5 p.m. semifinal at the Neal Blaisdell Center. The game will be televised live on OC16.

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