BROCKTON, Mass. ---- The Massasoit men's basketball team had an upset in the making for a part of Saturday afternoon against top-seed Bunker Hill, but the Bulldogs used a late second half run to capture the Region 21 Semifinals game, 71-60.
The win improves Bunker Hill to 21-5 on the season, as the Bulldog advance to the regional finals to take on MassBay at 2PM on Sunday on the campus of Massasoit.
The Warriors (14-12) slowed down the pace against the high-powered offense of the Bulldogs and behind 15 first-half points from Mike Ward, saw Massasoit own a surprising 32-29 lead at the break. The Warriors would lead by as much as 10 in the opening stanza, 28-18, towards the back end of the first half.
Just a week prior, the Bulldogs had handled Massasoit with ease, claiming a MCCAC Semifinals matchup in convincing fashion, 77-47, in the last meeting.
Saturday was different as the Warriors frustrated the Bulldogs for a good portion of the contest.
Despite a valiant effort from the home squad, Bunker Hill outscored Massasoit 42-28 in the second half.
Ward, a sophomore from Brockton, finished with a game-high 22 points in his final game with the Warriors. Jovani Harper-Lopez of Randolph netted 12 points, including a trio of second half 3s. Ian Wade (Brockton) sank three 3-pointers as well in the loss.
Bunker Hill, which advances to the region finals for the second straight year, finished with three players in double figures, led by Mike Richardson's 14.