Jenna Deldeo scored 16 points as the Tiverton girls basketball team beat Coventry 41-31 in a D-II home playoff game on Friday night. The Tigers, who ended the regular season with a record of 11-10, travel to Moses Brown to play in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. 

Deldeo, a junior forward, scored 12 points in the first half as Tiverton built a 23-14 halftime lead.  

“It was a great team win,” said head coach Mike Brigham. “We held them to 31 points, which is incredible.” 

Freshman point guard Cami Oliveira scored 5 points. Katie Richardson, Izzy Williams and Sara Poland each scored 4 points. Jah’niece  Branch and Ellery Pacheco each scored 3 points and Laney LePage scored 2 for Tiverton, who won 5 of 6 games down the stretch to earn the playoff birth. 

Tiverton scored 18 points in the second half, but It was their terrific team defense that won them the game, holding Coventry to just 17 in the second half. 

“Our game plan was to eliminate 3-pointers and make Coventry work hard for their points,” said Coach Brigham. 

Coventry shot well and sank ten 3-pointers when we they beat Tiverton 47-39 during the regular season on Dec. 13. But the Tigers held the Oakers to just two 3-pointers on Friday night. 

Coach Brigham credited junior guard Ellery Pacheco for her defensive work.

“Ellery just shuts down anyone she plays defense on,” he said. “The main point is, we preach tough defense and unselfish play on offense.” 

Coach Brigham will have to come up with another great game plan for Moses Brown, who crushed the Tigers 63-34 in a home game in January. It was a game that tested their mettle and Tiverton, who is just 4-6 in away games, responded well, playing tough till the final buzzer. 

Next up: Tiverton will travel to Moses Brown on Tuesday at 7 p.m.