SEASON SWEEP: Cooper Creek bags 29 as Connolly defeats Westport again

FALL RIVER — With sole possession of the league title available, Bishop Connolly stayed on course Friday.

The Cougars rushed out to a 28-point fourth-quarter lead before gliding to a 59-44 Mayflower Athletic Conference Comprehensive  boys' basketball win over Westport on Lafrance Gymnasium's Shea Court.

Senior Cooper Creek hit six 3-pointers in scoring 29 points and the Cougars (13-4, 11-1 for tournament purposes) held the Wildcats to 27 points through three quarters.

At 7-1 in the league, Connolly is tied for first place with Holbrook, which was recently upset by West Bridgewater. Connolly has two MAC Comp games remaining, the final at Holbrook, the only MAC Comp team to defeat Connolly this season.

Westport gave Connolly a tough scrap when the teams played last month in Westport, and the Wildcats (8-7, 1 win shot of playoff qualification) held Connolly scoreless for the first 3:23 of the rematch. But they didn't get a whole lot going offensively until the fourth quarter when they racked up 17 points. They committed 15 turnovers in falling behind 55-27. A hustling Conor Lecomte scored nine of his team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter to lead the 'Cats.

SCORES AT THE STOPS: Connolly led 14-8 after one quarter, 31-18 at halftime and 50-24 after three quarters.

CONNOLLY COACH BILL SHEA SPEAKS: "We started off obviously, poorly, and I don't think we finished great," Shea said. "But in between that, especially in the third quarter, we played some really good basketball. I was just talking to the kids. We need to play a full 32 minutes, which we've only done that once or twice this year."

AND WESTPORT COACH SCOT BOUDRIA SPEAKS: "Cooper played a lot better in Game 2," Boudria said. "I thought the (Connolly) supporting cast played a lot better. We missed a lot more shots. That's basically what it came down to. Defense was pretty good for us. They (Connolly) are a 50-plus (points) team if you're playing well. They're a 75-80-plus team if your're not playing well."

SUPPORTING CASTS: Creek and Lecomte were the game's only double-digit scorers. For Connolly, Zach Mullins and Peter Rego both scored eight, and Mullins, a senior captain definitely put his stamp on the game with passing and defense. He also nailed two 3-pointers. Shea said he has been encouraging point guard to shoot even more from outside. "If he's knocking down that shot, we're really tough," Shea said. ... For Westport, Nick Payne scored eight points.

AN EYE TO THE FUTURE: Shea said Division 4 South is considered by not only him but most other coaches as wide open, with no dominant teams. "There's not even a favorite as far as I can see," he added.

FAVORITE SPOTS: In the first half, Creek launched most of his 3s from the top of the key. In the second half he set up shop in the left corner. Shea said Creek goes where the shots are available. "I know he's 6-foot-7, but he can shoot. If teams start taking away the 3, we roll him into the post." Creek did have three dunks against the Wildcats.

Email Greg Sullivan at gsullivan@heraldnews.com. Follow him @GregSullivanHN.