WNE, Nichols to Clash in CCC Men’s Basketball Championship Game Saturday
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 24, 2023) – After second seeded Western New England posted a 79-71 victory over third seeded Endicott College and first seeded Nichols College took down Wentworth Institute of Technology 93-84 on Thursday night, the two teams will meet in the CCC Championship game on Saturday afternoon.
Season Series:
Western New England earns their first ever CCC Championship bid since joining the conference while Nichols looks to win their sixth straight CCC title. The two teams matched up twice this season, with both teams taking a victory on the road. WNE took an 86-72 win over the Bison on January 3, 2023. Gavin Greene dropped 26 points on 12/15 shooting, grabbing four rebounds, and five assists. Four of WNE's five starters picked up double digits in scoring, as Jake Harrison (11 points, 4/9 shooting), Brian Geitner (19 points, 6/12 shooting), and Tim Restall (13 points, 4/8 shooting), joined Greene in double figures. WNE held Nichols to 39% shooting from the field while forcing 15 Bison turnovers in the win.
Less than a month later, Nichols would take down the Golden Bears on their home floor in overtime by a final score of 83-81. Tavon Jones and Quincy Ferebee led the way for the Bison, scoring 21 and 20 points, respectively. Though the Bison shot just 37% from the field, Nichols would cash in from the free throw line, scoring 27 of a possible 33 points from the stripe. Similar to their game on the road, Western New England saw four score in double figures, with Greene (25 points, 10/13 shooting), Harrison (19 points, 6/15 shooting), Restall (13 points, 5/11 shooting) and Mike Resnick (11 points) all collecting highs for WNE. Western New England would shoot just 20% from behind the arc while converting 23/31 free throw attempts. The Golden Bears and Bison would split the season series at one game apiece.
WNE Top Performers:
Sophomore Jake Harrison has led Western New England all season long, averaging 17.2 points per game. The South Boston, Massachusetts native has collected double figures in scoring in 21 of his 26 games played this season while making a start in all 26 games. Harrison has collected 9.1 rebounds per game and has had at least ten rebounds in nine games this season. Harrison has collected nine double-doubles this season and dropped a triple-double in an 86-53 win over University of New England earlier this season. Junior Tim Restall has averaged 16.5 points per game, playing in all 27 games for the Golden Bears on the season. Restall has scored in double figures in six consecutive games and 23 of 27 games on the year. The Tolland, Connecticut native has collected ten double-doubles on the season. Gavin Greene has collected a 60.1 field goal percentage this season, which ranks 24th in the nation and second in the CCC. Greene has produced 13.6 points per game and has made every start for the Golden Bears. Brian Geitner has helped guide the Golden Bears at the point guard position, averaging 12.9 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game and 2.9 assists per game. Geitner has dropped 35 points in two playoff games with WNE so far this season while scoring at least 20 points six times. Western New England comes into the championship game with a 21-6 record and 14-4 in CCC play.
Nichols Top Performers:
Nichols has been led by their graduate student forward Matthew Alectus all season long. The Hollywood, Florida native has scored 17.2 points per game, while averaging 12.1 rebounds per game, collecting 35 total assists, 28 steals and 46 blocks through 24 games played. Alectus leads the CCC in blocks, double-doubles (18) and rebounds (291). The Bison have also seen Ty Rucker, Tavon Jones, Jakigh Dottin, and Quincy Ferebee all averaged double figures in scoring during the season. Junior Nate Ducksworth is ranked third in the nation in assist/turnover ratio. Nichols has averaged 88.9 points per game on the season, shooting 46% from the field and 30% from behind the arc. The Bison are currently riding a 16-game winning streak, with Western New England being the last team to beat the Bison back on January 3. Nichols comes into the championship game with a 22-5 record and 16-2 in the CCC.
The Championship Game:
Second seeded Western New England will travel to first seeded Nichols on Saturday, February 25, 2023, for a 2:00 pm tip-off. To view the live stream or live stats, click here.
