SALT LAKE — They raised their spirits and their game, and rallied to continue their postseason run.

Axton Durand scored 23 points to lead four players in double figures as Christian Academy used a big second half to rally past Le Jardin, 85-73, in the semifinals of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II tournament last night in front of over 100 at Salt Lake District Park.

Christian Academy, a small private school located in nearby Red Hill and playing its second game in as many days, will face Lanakila Baptist in today's final at Hawai'i Baptist Academy.

Today's winner will face the loser of today's O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Division third-place game between Kaiser and McKinley on Saturday. The game scheduled for 7 p.m. at Radford will determine the final berth into next week's Division II state tournament.

"Coach told us not to give up," Durand said. "We've been at that kind of deficit before. You can't have a bad attitude. We just brought it."

The Patriots trailed 43-34 at halftime and spent the entire third quarter playing tough defense and clawing away at the deficit. Durand played a big part, dominating in the paint and scoring 12 points.

Christian Academy (6-5) cut the deficit to one point on three occasions before taking the lead for good on Michael Urcia's putback with 47 seconds remaining in the quarter that made it 54-53.

"That was the turning point," Christian Academy coach Raymond Park said. "We're hitting high percentage shots. Once we got the lead, they chased us and we're able to spread our offense and able to score."

Urcia added 21 points, Jason Ko had 19 and Abel Orbistondo had 14.

Leading 56-55 after the third quarter, the Patriots went on a 14-5 run to take a 70-60 lead with less than five minutes remaining.

Le Jardin didn't hit a field goal during that stretch. But once John Whitty made one with 4:16 left, the Bulldogs (5-5) made one final push.

Whitty scored four more points off two turnovers that made it 70-66 with 3:30 left.

But Christian Academy's role players stepped up the entire second half, and one of them, Zachary Fu hit a 3-pointer from the left corner that rattled in on the next possession, practically sealing the game.

"Le Jardin picked on (our shooters)," Ko said. "Our team really stepped up, got open shots and had the confidence to take that shot."

Whitty scored 29 points for the Bulldogs, Kalani Soeda added 17 and Tevin Togami 14.

"He's been consistent all year," Le Jardin coach Reed Olaso said of Whitty. "He's the quarterback of our team. He puts in the points, just that he can't do it by himself."

It was Le Jardin's first non-losing season and Olaso hopes it'll be a huge step toward next season.

CHRISTIAN ACAD. (6-5) 19 15 22 29 — 85

LE JARDIN (5-5) 19 24 12 18 — 73

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY — Michael Urcia 21, Jathniel Manahan 0, Abel Orbistondo 12, Joshua Kaoiwi 0, Axton Durand 25, Zachary Fu 6, Brett Koga 2, Jason Ko 19. Totals 29 23-36 85.

LE JARDIN — Alex Johnston 0, Tevin Togami 14, Kelvin Akamine 0, Joshua Kava 9, Adam Trecker 0, Kalani Soeda 15, John Whitty 27, Taylor Gray 6, Alex Gomes 0, Max Rausch 2. Totals 26 20-29 73.

3-point goals: Christian Academy 4 (Urcia, Orbistondo, Fu, Ko). Le Jardin 1 (Togami).

Reported by Peter Estomago

LANAKILA BAPTIST 45, HANALANI 43

Keawe Ochman made a running, off-balance shot from the free-throw line as time expired as Lanakila Baptist (5-6) defeated Hanalani (6-4) in the semifinals of the ILH Division II tournament.

"Our season has been a lot of ups and downs," said Ochman, who added he's practiced that shot before. "This win feels so good."

Lanakila Baptist, located in 'Ewa Beach, led 43-39 with one minute remaining. But Hanalani's John Cunningham scored with 21 seconds left to make it 43-41. The Royals got the ball back on a turnover and tied the game at 43 on Darin Kamealoha's shot with 11 seconds left.

The Warriors led by as much 10 in the second half before the Royals rallied for a 39-38 lead in the fourth.

"We kept together and worked as a team," Ochman said. "We never lost faith. We're a family and we believed in our family."

LANAKILA BAPTIST (5-6) 6 17 8 14 — 45

HANALANI (6-4) 8 9 13 13 — 43

LANAKILA BAPTIST — Christopher Isidiro 0, Marcus Takahashi 0, Armando Cayabyab 5, Micah Miranda , Keawe Ochman 14, Chase Hazlewood 24, Cole Deyoung 0, Christian Oasay 2, Glenn Yri 0, Zachary Ramos 0. Totals 16 13-22 45.

HANALANI — Andrew Kutaka 3, Darin Kamealoha 17, P.J. Minaya 10, Matt Simbre 2, Matt Guerrero 2, Brysen Honda 0, Tyler Simao 0, Joshua Thomas 0, John Cunningham 9. Totals 18 4-13 43.

3-point goals: Hanalani 3 (Kamealoha, Minaya 2).

Reported by Peter Estomago

Reach Stanley Lee at sktlee@honoluluadvertiser.com.