WARWICK — It certainly wasn't the result the East Providence High School boys' basketball team wanted, but the Townies' effort definitely was in spite of the final score.

EP's recent five-game winning streak in Division I outings was put to an end by perennial Interscholastic League power Bishop Hendricken after the host Hawks edged the Townies 75-70 Thursday night, Jan. 18.

"I thought we played well, well enough to win, but we gave up a lot of second-chance baskets and they just made more shots," said EPHS head coach Joe Andrade.

"Going down there to play them is always tough. They're disciplined. They don't make too many mistakes, especially at home," he continued. "I thought we attacked their zone well. They bank on getting you down five then the next thing you know it's 15, then 25 and it's over. But that never happened. We never gave up."

The Hawks didn't trail the rest of the way after scoring the last five points of the second quarter to take a 34-32 lead at intermission.

Hendricken then used some sharp shooting from behind the 3-point arc in the third quarter, draining five triples to open up a 54-49 lead heading into the final period.

The Townies would get no closer than three, 63-60, just past the midway mark of the fourth on an old-fashioned three-point play by Levi Jacobs.

The Hawks, however, answered with two quick buckets in transition to retake a more comfortable advantage.

East Providence crawled back to with four three more times: once on a Franklin Carela Lopez triple, the next on a Jacobs layup and the last, 74-70, on a Tyler Gomez trey with around 20 seconds to go.

But the Townies later couldn't convert their last best chance out of a time-out with about 6 seconds left. A look from 3 rolled around the rim and off. The Hawks then padded their edge with one more free throw.

The loss was the first of the new year in league play for East Providence, which dropped to 6-3 in D-I standings. Hendricken improved to 8-1.

Christian Torres led the balanced attack for the Townies with 13 points. Alex Mulamba had 12 off the bench. Kenaz Ochgwu had 10 in one of his quieter outings of late.

Jacobs and Derrell Liggins (three 3s) also had nine each as subs. Gomez chipped in eight, Lopez six and Brandyn Van Wagner three.

"It was a learning experience for our kids. I was happy with how we played. I don't do moral victories, but I think we played well," Andrade added. "Again, like I said, going down there and only losing by five. Look at the end of the year and see how many games they lose at home. It won't be many if any. Again, we'll learn from this and move on."

East Providence plays its next two games at home: Monday night, Jan. 22, vs. Cumberland at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday night, Jan. 24, against Westerly at 7 p.m. The Townies closed out their busy week in Woonsocket Friday night, Jan. 24, for a 7 o'clock tip.