Photo Credit: Caleb Xu
BY CHARLIE ADAMS, TSM LEAD WRITER
(Cranston, RI) - Following two games on the road, including their first win of the season (65-63 OT win at Cumberland), the boys’ basketball team returned home to face the East Greenwich Avengers in a crucial Division I matchup.
Back at home before their Holiday Tournament on Tuesday, the ‘Bolts played strong as they took down the Avengers, 71-63.
Cranston East played a great team game led by Naz Milien’s 19 points. Milien has scored 67 points in his last three games (22.3 ppg). As early foul trouble subsided, the ‘Bolts took control of the game as they took a second-quarter lead they never relinquished.
The Thunderbolts had success early from deep, sharing scoring in their 19-point first quarter among 6 players. Foul trouble on both sides put the ‘Bolts in the bonus for the next quarter, however, East’s struggles at the line kept the Avengers ahead by only one after the first quarter.
Cranston East continued to play well in the second quarter, building a lead up to a 6-point lead heading into halftime. The team looked sharp everywhere besides their shooting percentage and the alarming rate at which they committed fouls, as they continued to spread the scoring well. They entered the break leading 39-33.
The ‘Bolts had their best quarter up to that point in the third, limiting mistakes while producing offensively just as well as in previous quarters. Holding East Greenwich to just 11 points, the Thunderbolts lead ballooned to 58-44 with just a quarter separating them from their second league win on the season.
In the fourth quarter, Cranston East continued to consistently score and retain their lead. However, a full-court press by East Greenwich gave the Thunderbolts some trouble, but not enough as they cruised through the fourth to a 71-63 victory. Their league record now stands at 2-2 as they pause division play until after New Year’s.
The Thunderbolts boys’ basketball team will return to host the Cranston East Holiday Classic, spanning two days (12/27-12/28). Highlighting this tournament is the great crosstown East-West rivalry, which will be played on the boys side on Wednesday, December 28 at 7:00 pm at Ventetuolo Gym.
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