In a game in which both teams took turns dominating the other, Tiverton beat Exeter-West Greenwich (5-11 division, 6-16 overall) by a score of 64-45 Thursday to complete an undefeated regular season in Division III play.

The home win assured the Tigers (17-0 in division, 19-3 overall) the top seed when divisional playoffs begin next week.

Coach Dave Landoch’s Tigers roared out of the gate Thursday, building a 28-8 lead just over nine minutes into the game.

Then it was Exeter-West Greenwich’s turn. Taking aim from beyond the three-point line, the Scarlet Knights dominated for a stretch into the second half, cutting the Tiverton lead to just two points.

But that was as close as the Scarlet Knights would get as Tiverton, led by senior Stephen Gacioch, rediscovered its defense and forced bad shots and and loads of turnovers.

Tiverton went on a 19-1 run while holding the Scarlet Knights to just 15 second half points.

Gacioch was the Tigers’ leading scorer and a force on defense. Tyler Murray scored 14 points with seven rebounds and seven assists, Carson Hart scored 11, Elias Skarpos added six, Michael Hrycin and Aaron Carreira scored five each, and Kyle Soares added three.

Cruising to the 16th

With Tyler Murray and Carson Hart leading the way, Tiverton doubled up on St. Patrick Academy 62-31 last Tuesday to keep its perfect league record intact at 16-0 (18-3 overall).

Murray scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Hart scored 18 along with 13 rebounds. Aaron Carreira scored seven, Dylan Clark and Kyle Scores both scored five, Stephen Gacioch scored four, Will Brigham scored two, and Michael Hrycin and Elias Skarpos had one each.