Roosevelt successfully defended its O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Division girls basketball title last night behind another all-around performance by guard Iwalani Rodrigues and a clutch showing by post Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole.

Rodrigues scored a game-high 22 points and Kamakawiwo'ole added 12 as Roosevelt topped Radford, 43-32, before a crowd of more than 500 at McKinley's Student Council Gym.

"We worked really hard," said Rodrigues, who added 10 rebounds, three blocks and three steals. "We're not as strong as last year, and don't have as much talent, but we play together. We're smarter as a team."

The Rough Riders (14-1) will be the OIA's seeded team in next week's state tournament and will have a first-round bye. The Rams (13-2) will also make the trip to the states.

Radford center Ta Nitra Byrd scored a team-high 12 points and added 10 rebounds and three blocks. She was hounded the entire game by Roosevelt's tenacious defense and guarded by post Kaui Kuehu.

"Kuehu did an outstanding job," Roosevelt coach Bobby Keanini said. "When Byrd stepped out, Kuehu kept everything in front, understanding that she could go off the dribble. She was very effective on her."

Roosevelt guard Tiana Sugui, the team's second leading scorer, did not play last night after spraining her right ankle in Wednesday's semifinal game against Farrington. She was replaced in the starting lineup by Jayna Tasaka, who scored four points.

Keanini said Sugui will be available to play in the state tournament next week.

"She probably could have run tonight, but the kid's well-being is more important than the game," Keanini said. "We sat her out hoping we could cover for her. I'm proud of these girls. They did a good job covering for Tiana Sugui tonight."

Kamakawiwo'ole did her part to spark an 8-2 Roosevelt run in the second quarter after Byrd's three-point play closed Radford to 11-10.

Tasaka started Roosevelt's surge with a nifty reverse layup and Kamakawiwo'ole hit a jumper in the lane. After Radford's Marlena Malepeai hit a pair of free throws, Kamakawiwo'ole hit another shot in the lane and Rodrigues added two foul shots as Roosevelt took a 19-12 lead at intermission.

"I just tried my best to make all my shots," said Kamakawiwo'ole, who added eight rebounds and two blocks. "The most recent games, I didn't do so well."

Kamakawiwo'ole hit two more baskets early in the third quarter and Roosevelt extended its lead to 31-20 after Rodrigues sank a shot near the free throw line at the end of the quarter.

Radford closed the gap to seven points three times in the fourth quarter — the last at 37-30 on Byrd's layup with 2:37 to go — but couldn't get any closer. Rodrigues sealed the game, making 6 of 7 free throws.

"I thought we did a decent job defensively," Radford coach David Lane said. "I just wish we could have gotten after Roosevelt a little bit more. ... Roosevelt played great defense. They took away our outside shot and they took away our drive, too."

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertis er.com or 535-2458.

ROOSEVELT (14-1) 5 14 12 12 — 43

RADFORD (13-2) 4 8 8 12 — 32

ROOSEVELT — Dianna Zane 2, Iwalani Rodrigues 22, Kathleen Nakata 0, Jayna Tasaka 4, Shandree Armstead 3, Tiyana Nakasone 0, Brittni Au 0, Tasia Kamakawiwo'ole 12, Kaui Kuehu 0. Totals 15 13-18 43.

RADFORD — Leslie Lazo 0, Itali Lindsey 0, Bui Baravilala 2, Celina Cruz 0, Disa Brown 0, Marlena Malepeai 8, Brittini Fuller 3, Marsharen DuPont 0, Kiara Dykes 0, Chelsea-Ann Villanueva 7, Ta Nitra Byrd 12. Totals 12 8-19 32. 3-point goals: Radford 1 (Fuller).

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.