Photos by Rich Dionne
EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School boys’ basketball team closed the week with a 65-52 loss to visiting and reigning Open State Tournament champs Bishop Hendricken Thursday night, Jan. 17.
The Townies fell to 4-4 in D-I with the setback. The guest Hawks remained unbeaten in the league, 8-0, and overall, 12-0, at the time.
Hendricken took control of the contest in the opening 16 minutes, building a 42-28 lead by intermission. East Providence actually played the Hawks rather even in the second, but its inability to cash in on chances early made the margin too much to overcome.
“We missed layups, open shots. We missed our opportunities and they didn’t,” EPHS head coach Joe Andrade said after the game.
The Hawks completed a season sweep of the Townies. Hendricken defeated the Townies in Warwick by a similar score, 74-61, back in mid-December. City resident Bobby Fiorito notched 17 points for the Hawks last Thursday. Hendricken’s Andre De Los Santos led all scorers with a night-high 22. Justin Pena paced the Townies with 15. Dion Hazard added 12 and R.J. Pina 10.
East Providence is off until Wednesday night, Jan. 23, when the Townies travel to face Cranston East for a 7 o’clock tip. Hendricken plays host to Coventry in Warwick Monday night, Jan. 21, also at 7 p.m.