The Chapel Field Lions survived and lived to play for the championship.

The second-seeded Lions nearly lost a 14-point lead in the final minutes of the fourth quarter but got some key free throws from Mikey Bonagura and Micah McDuffie in the last minute to hold off the No. 3 Livingston Manor Wildcats, 45-41, in Saturday’s Section 9 Class D semifinal boys’ basketball game at Chester Academy.

“We survived,” Chapel Field’s Jonah McDuffie said. “We could have been a little bit stronger with the ball. We could have done a lot of things differently. It was weird. You could sense they were going to make that run. You just need to make that stop and know how to win.”

The Lions had a 42-28 lead in the fourth quarter when Livingston Manor started making the lead disappear. Livingston Manor’s Ben Johnston converted a three-point play, starting a 13-0 run that ended with two foul shots by Kaleb Maldonado.

Suddenly, the Lions were clinging to a one-point lead and the Wildcats had all the momentum when Chapel Field coach Brad McDuffie called for a timeout with 56.8 seconds left in the game.

“I think there was a little momentum switch,” coach McDuffie said. “I think they were being ultra-aggressive, and we didn’t handle it. They played us like that the last time we played them, and we handled it a lot better.”

The Lions had already played the Wildcats twice this season in Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association Division VI play. The first was a 49-45 win on Jan. 29 and the second was a 59-37 win on Feb. 7.

The third time was almost the charm for the Wildcats, but the Lions’ defense got a stop with about 6.5 seconds left in the game, and Bonagura grabbed a key rebound.

He was quickly fouled to stop the game clock, and he responded by knocking down two free throws to give the Lions a 3-point lead. It was Chapel Field’s first points since Micah McDuffie’s layup with 6:10 left.

Micah McDuffie followed by grabbing a steal and hitting one of two free throws to make it a four-point game, and end the Wildcats’ hopes of advancing.

“They hit the foul shots and Micah sealed it,” Jonah McDuffie said. “He could have made that shot, and we could have lost. Anything could happen, but it’s the Lord’s will.”

Jonah McDuffie led all scorers with a game-high 14 points, while Drew Hollo and Micah McDuffie added 12 each. Aiden Johnston led the Wildcats with 12 points and Maldonado added 10.

“Livingston Manor is a tough, scrappy, tough team to play,” Jonah McDuffie said. “They don’t stop coming at you, no matter what the score is. They don’t ever give up.”

The Lions advanced to play top-seeded Mount Academy (14-4) for the Section 9 Class D championship on Tuesday at SUNY Sullivan.

“I keep telling people they’re having the season that we had last year,” coach McDuffie said. “They’re having a good season.”