BRIDGEWATER — Bridgewater-Raynham outscored New Bedford 22-4 in the fourth quarter to cruise to a 71-49 boys basketball victory.
Both teams entered Monday’s matchup undefeated and powered by potent offenses. The Whalers were averaging 78 points per game in wins over Abington, Barnstable and Dartmouth, while the Trojans’ offense had averaged 77 points per game in wins over Durfee and BC High.
With Division 1 being wide open this season, this early-season matchup is a possible foreshadowing of a postseason matchup.
The Trojans used a 9-1 run to begin the second quarter to jump out to a 22-11 lead, but foul troubles to Cameron Santos, Cason Faul and Lee Williams opened the door for the Whalers to cut into the deficit.
“I love the way the ball was moving,” said Trojans’ head coach Doug Alves.
Whalers freshman Camden Hill knocked down two three-pointers that fueled a 10-5 run to cut the deficit to 26-21. The Whalers, only being down nine points at the half, felt they took the momentum away from the Trojans.
The Trojans in the second half seized back the momentum thanks to Cam Santos and Aiden Pires. Santos, who finished with 19 points on the night, knocked down back-to -back three’s to ignite an 8-0 run, then Pires found his touch from beyond the arc.
“Moving the ball around, great passes, being a team, gives us all energy,” said Pires.
Pires knocked down three from beyond the arc to help increase the Trojans’ lead to 41-29. The Whalers, as they did throughout the first half, responded with a 12-2 run of their own to end the third period, cutting a 14-point lead to four entering the fourth quarter.
Bridgewater-Raynham (3-0) in the fourth amped up its defense, forcing turnover after turnover that led to an 8-0 powered by Pires (26 points, seven made threes) and his hot shooting from three that turned a four-point game back to a 12-point lead.
“You gotta have good communication and chemistry,” said Pires. “I just got here, but we’re all learning as a team.”
New Bedford’s (3-1) high-powered offense only made one field goal in the fourth quarter, thanks in part to the Trojans defense. Alves lamented that his team’s focus and competitive nature on the defensive side of the ball have been a priority so far this season.
“Playing team defense, guys being super competitive,” added coach Alves.
