Jah’niece Branch scored a key late basket and Beatrice Pimentel converted six clutch free throws in the fourth quarter as the Tiverton Tigers held off Coventry 47-45 in a girls basketball semifinal Tuesday night at Tiverton High School.
Branch, who finished with a game-high 15 points, delivered the decisive blow late in the fourth quarter to help the Tigers survive a spirited Coventry comeback and advance to the finals.
Tiverton led 24-16 at halftime, with Branch and Cami Oliveira each contributing eight first-half points to pace the offense. But Coventry stormed back in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 15-3 to take a 31-27 lead heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter belonged to Tiverton. Pimentel, who finished with seven points — all from the free-throw line — was automatic from the stripe down the stretch, giving the Tigers the margin they needed. Oliveira finished with 12 points, Pimentel and Tori Murray each added seven, and Sara Poland chipped in six.
For Coventry, Leah Lapham led with 12 points and Adisyn Esposito added 11 in a losing effort.
The game was physical throughout, with both teams battling foul trouble from the opening tip. Coventry’s rally made the final minutes tense, but Tiverton, coached by Mariah Caldwell, made enough plays to hold on.
Photo gallery by Justin Walker.
