Bjoinson, Tigers Storm Past 'Bolts

Tuesday night's basketball game at demonstrated how a team with more age and experience is often the team that can better handle pressure and respond to challenges.  

The traveled to Cranston East to take on the Thunderbolts in a non-league boys basketball game that turned out to be a dogfight as both teams battled hard. In the end, Tiverton prevailed 67-57, as they sank free throws down the stretch to perserve their lead.

The Thunderbolts took the lead early, going up 6-1 after four minutes. But Tiverton battled back and took an 11-8 lead thanks in part to two layups by junior Alex Rosa. Then East's Nathan Isom made a jumper from the elbow cutting the deficit to 11-10.

The Tigers answered back by seizing control of the game. Over the next-two-and-a-half minutes they went on a 12-2 run to extend their lead to 23-12. Ken Welchman, senior guard for Tiverton, drained two three's during the run.

A coast-to-coast drive and basket by Welchman extended the lead to 25-13. He wasn't done yet, as he drained a three pointer with about thirty seconds left in the half giving the Tigers a 30-18 edge. Heading into halftime, Tiverton led 31-20.

The locker room speech during halftime motivated the Thunderbolts and they started the second half on a tear. They effectively used a full court press to force turnovers and get easy buckets. A three pointer by Joeseph Boseman-Hinds started the run for the Bolts, cutting the lead to eight.

After about three-and-a-half minutes into the second half, East had surged ahead taking a 34-33 lead, thanks to a 14-2 run. The full court press was unstoppable and they forced many turnovers. Senior John Razzino's baseline three pointer was the last bucket of the scoring rampage.

Jerry Arcouette, Tigers head coach, called a timeout and it paid off immediately. Tiverton answered with their own 8-1 run, scoring two three pointers and two free throws to take the lead 41-34 with about eleven minutes left in the game.

It proved to be a lead they would never relinquish. East was able to cut the lead to three points thanks to a lapse in judgement by a Tigers player, but it wasn't enough to take back control.

Gunnar Bjoinson was the Tigers star all night, finishing with 20 points, but he lost his cool for a moment. After an offensive foul when he drove to the lane, he argued with a referee and was issued a technical foul. Two free throws and a 3-pointer later, the Tigers lead was only 47-44. But the Bolts would never get any closer than that.

The teams traded baskets over the last eight minutes of the game, with East nipping at Tiverton's heels the entire time. Tiverton held the lead, but couldn't bring it back to double digits. With only two-and-a-half minutes left in the game, East's Wilber Delgado dished it to Isom who drained the three. The Tigers lead was now 59-55 and the crowd was getting loud.

Over the last few minutes of the game, one play stood out. Junior Geoffrey McNally made a key basket for his team. Just over a minute remained in the game when he got a huge offensive rebound and laid it in to extend Tiverton's lead to 64-57.

The Bolts tried to hit three point shots in  last minute of the game, but couldn't land them. McNally scored again on a pass from Bergandy with five seconds left pushing the lead back to double digits. The Tigers won the game 67-57.

It was a non-league game, so it does not count for the playoffs, but teams' overall records are affected. Tiverton notches its first win on the year and East drops the official regular season home opener.

Welchman had a solid game for the Tigers, scoring 13 points, 9 of them coming on three pointers. Bergandy was not the focal point of the offense tonight, but managed 12 points, and knocked down all four of his foul shots.

Guard John Razzino led the Bolts with twenty points, as he drilled 3 three pointers and was 7 for 10 at the line. Marchand came up big on the glass, collecting ten rebounds.

Arcouette was pleased with the effort on the court tonight.

"Overall I liked our intensity," he said, "It was good to pick up a 'W.'"

"Welchman had a good game and their press definitely bothered us," he added.

Bill Coughlin, Bolts head coach, said his team is young, but shows promise and determination.

"They are a young group of kids," Coughlin said. "They are working very hard."

He praised Tiverton's team.

"They are very-well coached," he said.

Cranston East hosts Classical on Friday night and Tiverton's next game is this Saturday, Dec. 11 at home at 3 p.m. against Catholic Memorial High School in another non-league game. The Tigers' first division game is Monday night, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at .