MILILANI — Radford limited two-time defending O'ahu Interscholastic Association girls basketball champion Roosevelt to two points in the final seven minutes last night and held on for a 36-31 victory in the league semifinals.

The Rams, ranked No. 2 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media, improved to 14-0 in the regular and postseason and will face Kalani (12-2) for the title at 6 p.m. tomorrow at McKinley's Student Council Gym.

The game will be televised live statewide on OC-16.

Last night's game was tied 27-27 entering the fourth period, and the Rough Riders (10-4) took a 29-27 lead a minute into the quarter on a layup by Tiana Sugui. But they would not score another field goal for the next five minutes, and Ta Nitra Byrd scored on three consecutive layups to put Radford up, 33-29.

A layup by Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole cut it to 33-31 with 2:02 remaining, but Roosevelt would not score again and the Rams sank three free throws in the final 50 seconds to seal it.

"This was a very big win, because it shows the West (Division) teams can handle the East," said Byrd, who finished with a game-high 18 points. "We showed we could come out and compete with them and play our game. I'm very proud that we got the job done and we were able to fight through a difficult situation."

The game was tight throughout, with Radford leading 9-7 after one period and 23-20 at halftime. The Rams took a 27-23 lead after Marlena Malepeai's jumper with 5:08 left in the third quarter, but the Rough Riders answered with layups by Dianna Zane and Cierra Kapea to tie it entering the fourth.

Radford's defense then came up with several steals against Roosevelt's halfcourt set, holding the Rough Riders to four points the rest of the way.

"We knew about and respected their post players, and they have really nice moves," Rams coach Tina Dutro said. "We wanted to front them, and their guards will post up, too, so at halftime we made some adjustments on defense."

Roosevelt was further hampered when Zane, a three-year starter at point guard, picked up her fourth foul with 3:13 and then fouled out with 49.5 seconds remaining.

"That was big, because she's the one who holds them together," Dutro said. "She's a great player, and she plays big for them."

Sugui led the Rough Riders with 11 points.

ROOSEVELT (10-4) 7 13 7 4 — 31

RADFORD (14-0) 9 14 6 7 — 36

ROOSEVELT — Dianna Zane 7, Tiana Sugui 11, Jayna Tasaka 0, Tiyana Nakasone 3, Keely Bitanga 0, Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole 4, Cierra Kapea 2, Mikela Thoemmes 4. Totals 11 6-7 31.

RADFORD — Itali Lindsey 2, Bui Baravilala 2, Marlena Malepeai 7, Brittini Fuller 3, Chelsea-Ann Villanueva 4, Marsharen Dupont 0, Ta Nitra Byrd 18. Totals 15 6-13 36.

3-point goals: Roosevelt 3 (Zane, Sugui, Nakasone).

Reported by Jessica Beck

KALANI 58, 'AIEA 30

The Falcons (12-2) bolted to a 19-5 lead after the first quarter, then rode Violet Alama's 15 points to a victory over visiting Na Ali'i (9-5).

Rhianna Farm added 12 points and Chloe Martin hit three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points for Kalani, which led 32-13 at the half.

Natasha Helsham led 'Aiea with seven points.

'AIEA (9-5) 5 8 8 9 — 30

KALANI (12-2) 19 13 15 11 — 58

'AIEA — Pi'ilani Boner-Lee 0, Salome Liilii 0, Natasha Helsham 7, Natasha Fong 6, Danielle Ashley Grace 0, Crystal Tagudin 3, Rayna Strom-Okimoto 1, Shayla Kuehu 2, Emily Tausaga 2, Capri Holiona 1, Savannah Albinio-Cudal 0, Caroline Sio 4, Jennifer Yuen 4. Totals 9 11-25 30.

KALANI — Chloe Martin 11, Kayla Kimura 0, Brandi Yamauchi 0, Tiffany Liao 0, Iwalani Rodrigues 7, Ashlyn Onaga 4, Rhianna Farm 12, Jamie Higa 4, Violet Alama 15, Tia Kobayashi 2, Cara Kamehiro 3, Tiare Maafala 0. Totals 21 8-11 58.

3-point goals: 'Aiea 1 (Helsham). Kalani 4 (Martin 3, Kamehiro).

Reported by Kurt Maafala

Read Wes' blog on prep sports at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.