Elliot Pasquale scored 28 points as the Tiverton basketball team crushed Times 2 Academy 54-31 in a Division II home game on Thursday night. Pasquale, a senior point guard, drove the Tiverton offense with his skill and guile. He made steals, dished out assists, consistently juked his way to the hoop and at times, pulled-up to bury a jump shot or 3-pointer.

“I am extremely proud of the guys,” said head coach Dave Landoch.  “We have been coaching, that every possession we are at a 0-0 score. Win one at a time. I think with that mentality our team has continued to grow. None of them have quit and that's a testament of their character.”

Tiverton also received scoring from junior center Fernando D’Eramo, who scored 10 points with a pair of 3-pointers. Junior guard Bob Bettencourt and senior forward Curtis Johnson each chipped in with 6 points and sophomore Caleb Purcell scored 4 points as the Tigers’ improved their record to 3-13 with just 4 games left to the season in what has been a difficult and frustrating season, until things came together in the game last night.

“Our record has been brutal, but our spirit has been unbelievable,” said Coach Landoch. “The kids come to practice and the games and are always up. They are always excited. They work hard and we’ll keep working on improving.”

Times 2 Academy jumps out to a 8-0 lead

Times 2 Academy jumped out to an early 8-0 lead. Pasquale finally put Tiverton on the board with a put-back jumper to make it 8-2 in the first quarter. The speedy, athletic guard stole the ball away from Bald Eagles guard Sam Feliz and drove in again on a fast break. He was fouled on the play and sank both free-throws to make it 8-4. Pasquale drained a jumper from outside the paint to make it 8-6. Bettencourt buried a jumper and Johnson placed in a left-handed layup to give Tiverton a 10-8 edge to end the quarter.

Tiverton scores 18 points in the second quarter

The Tigers never looked back. They jumped on the Times 2 Academy defense and scored 18 points in the second quarter. Pasquale scored 11 points with a 3-pointer and a pair of foul shots. D’Eramo drained a jumper and a 3-pointer and Johnson added 2 points to give the Tigers a 28-15 halftime lead.

Pasquale scores 12 more in the second half

Pasquale added 12 more points in the second half as Tiverton beat down the weary Bald Eagles defense, scoring 26 more points.

D’Eramo buried a second 3-pointer and scored 5 points. Bettencourt added 4 points, Purcell sank a jumper and a pair of free-throws and Johnson added a bucket.

Tiverton played solid defense all game. D’Eramo pulled down 8 rebounds as the Tigers attempted to trap the Times 2 Academy guards out by the 3-point arch.

“It’s been a fun season,” said Coach Landoch. “It may be hard for people to fathom. But seriously, they are that good a group.”

Next up: Tiverton travels to PCD on Monday at 6:30 p.m. and hosts Hope High School on Thursday at 7 p.m.