STOCKTON – Second-seeded Ripon withstood a late surge from No. 3 Merced on Wednesday to hold on for a 13-10 win in the semifinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II boys water polo playoffs.

The win allows the Indians to defend their blue banner from last season on Saturday against top-seeded Rocklin at the Roseville Aquatic Center at 1 p.m.

Ripon (26-5) led 11-4 after three periods when the Bears (25-6) went on a 6-2 run to close out the game behind Blake Slocum’s fourth quarter hat trick.

“In a situation like this, you can never be ahead enough to think that the other team will not fight back,” Indians coach Erik Zador said. “And Merced did a great job trying to do that.

“They caught our boys a little bit off guard, and we got into a little foul trouble, and I think we got a little bit spooked. We have been there before, and we have had to deal with those situations, and the boys did a great job at the end of keeping their composure. We played a great first three quarters, and that put us ahead enough to weather the storm.”

Ripon goalie Andrew Hanker tallied 12 saves and a steal with three of those saves coming on an incredible flurry in the final minute.

“At the end we were trying to keep the ball away and defending,” Hanker said. “I was just trying to do my best.”

McKeane Beier tallied posted five goals and two blocks for the Indians, including Ripon’s two fourth-period goals.

“We all stepped up as a team,” Beier said. “We played at the level we need to be at to get to sections and NorCals.”

Brody Biedermann dished out four assists for the Indians, chipping in three blocks and two goals.

“I just wanted to play for the team,” Biedermann said. “As many times as I can make the extra pass, I will.”

Ripon’s Matthew Lee added two goals and a steal with Ben Svoboda (steal), Ryan Bell and Teo West adding a goal apiece.