The Crusaders, ranked No. 3 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media, improved to 12-3 before a crowd of about 350 at Kealakehe High School Gym. It was the first-ever state tourney play-in game pitting the third-place teams from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and the Big Island Interscholastic Federation.

Saint Louis will begin state tournament play with first-round action on Tuesday.

The Crusaders led 12-11 after a sloppy first period plagued by poor shooting and multiple turnovers, but found its groove and began the second quarter with a 17-3 run built mostly on transition layups.

Cole Shidaki's driving double-pump finger-roll gave the Crusaders a 29-14 lead with 3:36 remaining in the half.

Saint Louis led 38-19 at halftime and built it to 51-24 late in the third period. The Crusaders' reserves played the entire fourth quarter.