Men's Basketball to Host Gordon in CCC Quarterfinals

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – For the second consecutive year, Nichols College has earned the top seed for the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball championship. The 2015 tournament begins with quarterfinal matchups on campus sites Tuesday. 

The Bison (20-5 overall) captured the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament after compiling a league-best 17-1 record in CCC play.

On Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Nichols will host No. 8 seed University New England (7-18, 5-13), while No. 2 seed Endicott (20-5, 16-2) will host No. 7 seed Western New England (8-17, 6-12), No. 3 seed Eastern Nazarene (21-4, 14-4) will host No. 6 seed Roger Williams (9-16, 7-11) and No. 4 seed Wentworth (12-13, 10-8) will host No. 5 seed Gordon (11-14, 8-10).

Quarterfinal winners will advance to the semifinal round which will be played on Thursday, February 26 at the sites of the higher seed. 

Semifinal winners will square off for the conference championship on Saturday, February 28 at the site of the higher seed.

Tip-off times for semifinal-round contests and the championship game will be announced following the conclusion of the previous round.

This marks the fourth straight season Wentworth and Gordon will meet in the CCC Tournament as in 2012 the two teams played in the quarterfinals and met in the semifinals in the last two seasons. The all-time series has the Fighting Scots owning a 32-17 advantage, however the Leopards took both meetings this season (72-61 on December 6 in Boston and 55-50 on January 29 in Wenham) and have won three of the last five meetings. This is the sixth all-time playoff meeting between the two programs with Gordon holding a 3-2 advantage.

Admission to Tuesday's quarterfinal contest at Tansey Gymnasium is FREE.

For the Interactive Tournament Bracket - click HERE.

2015 CCC MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals • Tuesday, February 24
#8 University of New England (7-18, 5-13) at #1 Nichols (20-5, 17-1), 7:00 p.m.
#7 Western New England (8-17, 6-12) at #2 Endicott (20-5, 16-2), 7:00 p.m.
#6 Roger Williams (9-16, 7-11) at #3 Eastern Nazarene (21-4, 14-4), 7:00 p.m.
#5 Gordon (11-14, 8-10) at #4 Wentworth (12-13, 10-8), 7:00 p.m.

Semifinals • Thursday, February 26
#1/8 winner vs.#4/5 winner, TBA (at higher seed)
#2/7 winner vs. #3/6 winner, TBA (at higher seed)

Championship Game • Saturday, February 28
Semifinal Winners, TBA (at higher seed)

Start Times Will Be Announced Following the Conclusion of the Previous Round