EAST PROVIDENCE — It took a bit longer, but much like in their regular season meeting almost a month to the day prior the East Providence High School boys’ basketball team once again overwhelmed visiting Woonsocket in defeating the Villa Novans 77-46 in a Division I championship tournament preliminary round game Friday night, Feb. 17, in city.

At Ramos Gymnasium on January 19 in the regular season the Townies blitzed Woonsocket from the opening tip, scoring the first nine points and beginning the game on a 17-2 run overall before eventually earning a 61-44 win.

Last Friday night, seventh-seeded East Providence and the 10th-seeded Novans actually played level through the first quarter, finishing the initial eight minutes tied at 17.

It was the second period this time around when the Townies grabbed the game by the throat. East Providence outscored the Novans 24-6 to take a commanding 18-point lead (41-23) to the intermission.

The Townies used their press on one end of floor and their torrid shooting on the other to build their decisive margin. East Providence shot 5-for-8 from behind the 3-point arc in the second quarter and turned the visitors over numerous times leading to easy baskets as well.

Woonsocket actually scored the initial bucket of the period on a Abdoulaye Kourouma layup to put the Novans in front briefly, 19-17.

The Townies tied it next trip down the floor on a thunderous baseline drive and dunk by Kenaz Ochgwu (7 points). E.P.’s following possession ended on Trey Rezendes 3 from the corner, giving the hosts the lead for keeps.

That bucket started East Providence’s 22-4 onslaught before the break. It included two other 3s by Max Collins as well as one each by Xavier Hazard and Derrell Liggins, his only hoop of the night.

Collins, whose recent return to the EPHS lineup from injury has been very impactful, added in an old-fashioned three-point play for good measure.

Collins continued his hot shooting from downtown in the third as the Townies also continued to build upon their lead.

E.P.’s edge hit 20 for the first time (49-29) on a Collins triple midway through the period. He then gave the locals a 59-31 lead with a layup off a steal and assist by Rezendes late in the quarter before the guests scored to make it 59-33 heading into the final eight minutes.

Collins paced all scorers with a night-high 24 points, including five 3s. All told EPHS made 13 triples on the evening. Hazard had 15 and Rezendes 14.

“We played very well,” said EPHS head coach Joe Andrade. “Woonsocket got off to a good start, which I think was good for us. I’d rather have a game like this than the first time we played them when we got up something like 19-2 (sic, 17-2) and we got a little complacent.

“Tonight, once we put the press on, they couldn’t handle it. And we shot the ball really well. And we also rebounded. Once we start shooting it well and if we rebound, we’re tough to beat. And then there’s the Max factor. Having him back in the lineup opens things up for everyone. Like I tell him X and Trey, if they make the extra pass and trust in each other, it’s only going to benefit each of them.”

EPHS improved to 12-7 in league games at the time, including the playoffs. Woonsocket saw its 2022-23 season come to a close with a 6-13 mark in D-I contests.

The Townies advance to the D-I tournament semifinals for a game at second-seeded LaSalle in Providence Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m. The rival Rams swept EPHS in two league outings to date this winter, 57-56 in December at home and 59-53 two weeks ago at Ramos Gym.

“This is the third time we’re going to play them, but the last time we didn’t have Max and I think it was the first game back for Will (Winfield),” said Andrade. EPHS senior forward Will Winfield, like Collins, has been in and out of the lineup the last month with a lingering injury. He had five points in the win over Woonsocket.

“(LaSalle) is big and physical. They’re always a tough matchup for us,” Andrade added. “I thought we played them well in both games. We just made some costly mistakes each time, some key turnovers late. Hopefully, we don’t do that (Tuesday) and we shoot it well again like we did tonight.”