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| Logo credit: Bristol Central principal Twitter account |
Bristol Central boys basketball edged out Eastern 46-42 on Monday night inside a packed Thomas A. Monahan Gymnasium.
The game’s outcome had a much different effect on both sides: The Rams finished the regular season with a 16-4 record, a spot in the CCC Tournament, and a high ranking in Division II. The Lancers ended the season 7-13, one win shy of a state tournament berth.
In a typical game between these Mum City rivals, it was closely contested and low scoring. Eastern gave the effort you would expect from a Bunty Ray team, but it wasn’t enough. Central’s Jaekwon Spencer led all scorers with 20 points. The Rams had a 14-game winning streak snapped last Thursday by Wethersfield, but they were able to bounce back with a win over the Lancers.
Jake Lafferty led a balanced Eastern attack with 10 points. The Lancers led 13-10 after one quarter, then the Rams fought to a 21-21 tie at the half. Central led 33-32 after three quarters and was able to pull away just enough to win.
Eastern made a strong push to earn a state tournament berth, but injuries helped conspire to keep the Lancers out.
Central has the postseason ahead, and it will have good seeds in both the CCC and Division II state tournaments.
