Cougars hold off Panthers late

Johnston Sun Rise ·

Johnston and North Providence went down to the wire in a Division II boys’ basketball tilt on Monday night. The Cougars held an 11-point lead at halftime, before a 40-point second half helped Johnston make it close down the stretch.

Ultimately, though, North Providence was able to escape with a 72-67 win.

Dylan Durante kept his torrid start to the season going, lighting up North Providence for a game-high 27 points on 10 made field goals, including six 3-pointers, and he was also 1-for-1 from the charity stripe.

Durante is currently fifth in the state in scoring at 22.6 points per game.

Matthew Sabitoni was the only other Johnston player in double-figures with 12 points, while Cameron Iasimone scored eight points, Nate Vasquez had six and Cameron Sabitoni and Andrew Zalisk netted five points apiece.

North Providence featured a much more balanced scoring output. Matt Rohelia led three Cougars in double-figures with a team-high 19 points, while five made 3-pointers helped Paul Rizzo produce a 17-point performance and Tyreek Jones also added 14 points.

The Panthers dropped to 1-4 in Division II with the loss, and North Providence improved its league record to 2-3.

Results from Johnston’s home game against Barrington on Wednesday were unavailable at press time.

Johnston will also travel to 4-0 Westerly on Friday for a 7 p.m. start, before getting ready for three games next week against Portsmouth, Tolman and Prout.