PEABODY — The Peabody Tanners boys basketball team got a much-needed win at home Monday night, defeating visiting Revere 63-55.
It was far from easy, however. The Tanners led by 23, 46-23, after opening the second half with an 11-0 run. They still led by 19, 53-34, going into the fourth quarter.
But the fourth quarter belonged to the Patriots, who fought back and closed to within five, 58-53 with 1:45 to go.
Peabody closed out the game at the free throw line, thanks to Joangel Lugo (game-high 20 points), who converted 4-of-4 from the line with under a minute left.
“Revere got hot and we got cold, but they made a nice comeback there in the fourth quarter,” said Peabody coach Thad Broughton. “It was nice to hit our free throws there at the end when we needed them, especially Joangel, tonight he really stepped up. He and Chioke (Onwuogu), who pulled down some big rebounds, really stepped up and helped calm us down when Revere was making its comeback.”
Despite the loss, Revere coach David Leary was pleased with the way his team fought back.
“We came out a little flat in the first and didn’t really challenge until the third quarter, but we just ran out of time,” he said. “I was proud of the way the seniors battled back. I think we dug a hole in the first half when they were in the bonus early, but we missed too many free throws that could have made a difference. The bottom line is Peabody did a nice job of closing out the game when it had the chance.”
The first half was back-and-forth, ending with the Tanners on top, 14-12.
Peabody made its move late in the second quarter. Leading 22-21, Lugo drained a 3-pointer to make it 25-21 with three minutes left in the half. An offensive board and putback from Onwuogu (nine points) bumped the lead to 27-21, then Alex Jean (four points) converted off the offensive board to make it 29-21. Kyle Morfis, who had already drained back-to-back threes in the quarter, added a free throw and swished another three to extend the lead to 10 points, 31-21. Evan Saldana kept the run going with another offensive put-back, then Alex DeNisco (six points) capped the 12-0 run off a feed from Lugo to make it 35-21.
Revere’s Crisrael Lithgow (19 points) stopped the bleeding with a jumper to send the teams into halftime with Peabody on top, 35-23.
Peabody kept its foot on the gas in the third quarter, outscoring the Patriots 18-13 to extend its lead to 19 at 53-34.
The fourth quarter belonged to Revere, which went on a 14-3 run to close to within eight at 56-48 with four minutes left. After a pair of Lugo free throws, a fast-break bucket by Robert Raduazzo (15 points) and a rainbow three-pointer by Lithgow pulled the Patriots to within five at 58-53 with 1:45 to go, but that was as close as the Patriots came.
Peabody’s Tyler Joyce also finished in double figures with 12 points, while Revere’s Dillan Day finished with 12 points.
With the win, the Tanners improved to 8-8 and now focus their efforts on Tuesday night’s home game against Danvers.
“We beat them by 20 the first time around, but I am expecting a different and more improved team, much more so from the first game of the season,” said Broughton. “We are a different team than we were at the beginning of the season, but so are they. This game tonight (Monday) was a must-win game and so is Danvers tomorrow (Tuesday) if we want to make the tournament.”
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BOYS BASKETBALL
Tech 62, Northeast 43
Malik Purter had a big game with 16 points, seven steals and five rebounds. Carlos Mateo had another double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Justin Peralta also was in double figures with 11 points and six assists.
Tech’s next game is Thursday (5:30) against Greater Lawrence.
St. Mary’s 70, Pentucket 54
Joey Abate-Walsh led the way for St. Mary’s with 18 points, while Josh Perez and Lee Pacheco each scored 13 points. Ali Barry added 12 points.
The Spartans (15-2) host Roxbury Prep Thursday (6).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Marblehead 63, Salem Academy 31
Fehr Gillet had two points and eight rebounds for the Magicians, while Molly Cronin had three points. Ella Kramer, Mia Grenada and Annika Haley each scored two points.
Marblehead (15-2) hosts Gloucester Tuesday night (7).
