WARWICK — The anticipated rematch between the East Providence High School and Bishop Hendricken boys’ basketball teams ended the same way as the first, just by a larger margin.

Wednesday night, Jan. 22, the host Hawks defeated the Townies by an 84-65 count. Hendricken improved to 7-1 in the Division I-A standings at the time, good for first place. The second-place Townies dropped to 5-2. Hendricken beat the locals 81-75 in their first meeting of the season three weeks ago in city.

EPHS head coach Joe Andrade called the Townies’ effort “up and down.” The game started relatively tight before the Hawks used an extended run late in the first half to build a 44-28 edge at the break.

Andrade said his side “came out strong” in the final 16 minutes. EPHS closed its deficit to just four early in the second half, but Hendricken again pulled away en route to the 19-point win.

Andrade chalked up the loss to the Hawks’ proficiency in the paint along with too many turnovers by his Townies and porous defense.

“We aren’t defending,” Andrade added. “We can’t win that way.”

R.J. Pina, whom Andrade said played well, led the locals with 24 points, the only Townie in double figures. Brian Taylor added nine, Justin Pena eight, Josh Kauffman seven and Zach Russell six.

East Providence remains on the road to close the week and will another of the top squads in the state when it visits traditional rival LaSalle in Providence Friday night, Jan. 24. Tip time is 7 p.m.

The 6-2 Rams, who handed Hendricken its lone defeat to date 66-61 two weeks ago, reside in second place in I-C behind reigning league and state champ, 7-1 North Kingstown.