The NE10 took center stage on Tuesday as the regular season came to a close and the playoff field set. Here’s how everything went down and what it all means for the upcoming playoffs, beginning with a division title game that, predictably, went right down to the wire:
Le MOYNE 57 NEW HAVEN 56
Ryan Roland stroked two free throws with 2.5 seconds to play, lifting Le Moyne over New Haven in a battle for the Southwest Division crown in West Haven that featured 11 ties, 12 lead changes and only one three-possession spread all night. The clash between the region’s top two defensive clubs was all about offense in the opening half, with the Chargers using a 15-2 run to wipe out an 18-13 deficit and gain a game-high 28-20 advantage following a Derrick Rowland basket. The Dolphins responded with a 14-6 flurry over the final 4:32, drawing even on Roland’s 3-pointer at the halftime horn. The cat-and-mouse game shifted into a defensive affair over the final period with the hosts establishing as much as a 48-42 upper hand before Le Moyne rattled off eight unanswered, surging in front 50-48 on a 3-pointer by Kobi Nwandu (18 points, 3-4 from long range) with 6:28 remaining. New Haven – which was spearheaded by Rowland’s 19-point (9-11 FG), four-assist outing – countered with the next six to regain control at 54-50 with 2:46 on the clock. Not to be deterred, the Dolphins tallied five straight, edging back in front, 55-54 on a pair of Roland foul shots at the 1:32 juncture. Rowland scored inside with 29 seconds to go, putting the Chargers back up on the see-saw yet affording the visitors a chance at a game-winning play. It didn’t go exactly according to the script, though, as Nwandu’s contested lay-up rolled off the rim and Le Moyne was forced to foul three times over the last 8.8 seconds to put New Haven at the line for a one-and-one. However, after absorbing two fouls, the Chargers turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds play, giving the Fins a gift possession with 3.9 seconds showing. To compound matters, they then fouled Roland, sending him to the line for the game’s only one-and-one. The junior guard calmly nailed the tying and winning tosses as Rowland’s desperation, three-quarter-court heave was way off the mark as time expired, securing Le Moyne’s third consecutive division title and the top seed in the upcoming NE10 Tournament. Roland finished with 13 points for the Dolphins, who also received 12 points and four assists off the bench from CJ Asuncion-Byrd. Roy Kane, Jr. notched 10 of his 12 points before halftime while pulling down six boards for New Haven, which also landed Elijah Bailey in double figures with 10 points in 40 minutes of action. Despite being outshot (50%-40%), Le Moyne made twice as many triples (6-23 to 3-12) and nearly twice as many free throws (9-9 to 5-5) while taking advantage of UNH's eight second-half turnovers. The Chargers finish in second place and will host Bentley in Sunday’s quarterfinal round.
BENTLEY 83 FRANKLIN PIERCE 68
That’s because Bentley pulled away from Franklin Pierce in a third-place Northeast Division showdown at the Dana Center, riding a 20-2 second-half run that extended a tenuous 54-52 lead to 74-54 following a Jordan Mello-Klein jumper with 6:05 to play; the margin never dipping below 14 points thereafter. Colton Lawrence led the charge for the Falcons with 23 points (5-10 from 3), followed by Ryan Richmond (19 points, 4-17 FG, 11-12 FT, 11 rebounds, five assists) and Mello-Klein (16 points, 7-10 FG, four helpers), whose 3-ball just over eight minutes into the contest kick-started a 14-4 spell that flipped a 16-12 deficit into a 26-20 lead they would never relinquish. Doyin Fadojutimi was high man for the Ravens with 21 points and six rebounds, followed by Sean Fasoyiro (11 points) and Jameson Pierrelus (nine points, career high-tying 11 boards). Bentley was better at the stripe (15-18 to 3-4), offsetting a 43-40 rebound edge for Pierce, which finishes fourth and hosts Pace in Friday’s playoff opener; the winner traveling to Le Moyne on Sunday. Both sides turned in solid assist-turnover lines (BU 16/8, FPU 15/12).
ASSUMPTION 66 SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE 60
The surprise of the night came in Manchester, where Assumption tripped up Southern New Hampshire, denying its hosts a chance to play postseason ball and snapping an 11-game losing streak in the series that dated back to a 73-65 win in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Regional at the same Spirou Field House. Matthew Kelly was top dog for the Greyhounds with 24 points (9-16 FG), as his team trailed 34-29 at the break and 48-45 near the midway mark of the second period before the two teams swapped leads seven times – the last occurrence on a trifecta by Michael Speight (five points off the bench) that put the visitors on top for good at 57-55 inside of the four-minute mark. That bomb instigated a 10-2 spurt that gave Assumption control at 64-57 – the game’s widest spread – with 37 ticks left. Malik Brown offered 10 points 4-6 FG) in a reserve role for the winners, who were the superior shooters (49%-37%) despite coughing up the ball nearly twice as often (15-8). Eamonn Joyce generated 14 points (6-8 FG) to pace the Penmen, who also saw Daquaise Andrews close out his brilliant career with 11 points and four assists despite a miserable 4-of-23 shooting performance. Both teams exhibited a frosty touch from beyond the arc (AC 5-21, SNHU 2-19) to wrap up disappointing campaigns, although Assumption ended on a brighter note, winning its last two to double its league win total, while the Penmen dropped their last four, missing the playoffs on a mere tiebreaker with Stonehill.
ST. ANSELM 87 STONEHILL 63
Stonehill became the big beneficiary of SNHU’s loss, backing into the final playoff spot despite getting crushed by Northeast Division champ St. Anselm at Merkert Gym. Tim Guers collected 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead the #18 Hawks, who outscored their hosts 34-13 over the last 13:49 of the first half, transforming a 14-13 deficit into a 47-27 cushion. The margin never dipped below 15 over the final 20 minutes and maxed out at 77-49 after a lay-up by Danny Evans (17 points, 8-12 FG) at the six-minute mark. Chris Paul also recorded 17 for St. A’s, which enters the tournament on a five-game winning streak. Owen Chose piloted the Skyhawks’ attack with 23 points (5-10 from long distance), receiving support from Will Moreton (17 points) and Andrew Sims (11). The Hawks outshot (55%-41%) and outrebounded (37-27) The Hill, feasting in the paint (46-24), off turnovers (27-13) and on second chances (11-0). The Skyhawks will play in Friday’s opening round at Southern Connecticut, with St. Anselm hosting the winner on Sunday.
MERRIMACK 104 ST. MICHAEL’S 72
Though already locked into the two seed in the Northeast Division, Merrimack tuned up for its playoff run by waxing St. Michael’s in Vermont, scorching the nets at a 60% clip, putting on a clinic from 3-point land (16-31) and landing five in double figures to finish with 19 regular-season wins – the program’s most since the 2009-10 season. In the two rivals’ 85th and final meeting as D2 rivals, Ryan Boulter topped the scoresheet with 22 points (8-12 FG, 5-9 from downtown Burlington). He was flanked by Jaleel Lord (20 points, 6-10 from 3), Juvaris Hayes (14 points, 4-5 FG, six rebounds, 13 assists, five steals), Mikey Watkins (17 points off the bench, 7-9 FG) and Khalief Crawford (13 points). The Warriors trailed only once (14-13) and crafted a 28-8 spree, capped by two Hayes freebies, in fleshing out a 28-24 lead to 56-32 with 57 seconds remaining in the half. The margin bounced between 19 and 32 throughout the final period as the Purple Knights struggled from the floor (42%) and from distance (5-14) while being outworked in the paint, 30-14. Derek Cheatom (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Levi Holmes III (15 points) closed out their careers for St, Mike’s, the latter senior finishing as one of the program’s greatest talents and its highest scorer since 1974. Merrimack will host Adelphi in Sunday’s quarterfinal round.
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 82 ADELPHI 78
Despite entering the night tied for first, Adelphi claims the three seed in the uber-competitive Southwest Division and a date at Merrimack after being upset by American International at Butova Gym. Andrew Anderson delivered 22 points (10-13 FG) and six rebounds to front the Yellow Jackets, who close out their campaign snapping a four-game slide. The hosts found themselves behind 52-47 just over eight minutes into the second half before embarking on a 15-2 jaunt to seize control at 62-54 following an Adonis Williams lay-up with 9:06 to go. AIC would bend but not break down the stretch as the Panthers closed within a solitary point on two occasions – the last time at 79-78 on a lay-up from Conor McGuinness (five points, four assists) with 26 seconds on the clock. Isaiah Salter (17, 4 in a reserve role) was immediately fouled and converted both of his attempts to restore a three-point spread, and after Ronnie Silva missed a contested lay-up on the ensuing possession, Branislav Terzic (15 points, 4-7 from deep, six rebounds off the pine) sank the second of two foul shots with 12 seconds to play, cementing the result. Williams contributed 10 points, six rebounds and four helpers for the Jackets, who won despite being outshot from the floor (51%-44%) and from beyond the arc (14-35 to 11-29). They helped make up for those discrepancies by claiming all 12 of the game’s second-chance points. Silva – the defending NE10 Rookie of the Week – compiled 21 points and seven assists in a losing effort for Adelphi, which also placed Jack Laffey (20 points, five steals) and national FG% leader Nick Cambio (20 points, 7-9 FG, 11 rebounds) in twin figures.
SAINT ROSE 80 PACE 68
The only game with absolutely no playoff ramifications took place in Albany, where Saint Rose wrapped up a disappointing season with a victory over playoff-bound Pace, using a 15-2 upswing over the last 3:24 of the first half in lengthening a 28-26 lead to 43-28. The gap crested at 73-52 on a pair of Adam Anderson free throws with 5:43 left before the Setters made a late push, outscoring their old NYCAC rivals 13-1 – culminating in a Peyton Wejnert put-back – to creep within single digits at 74-65 with 3:08 remaining. They would get no closer, however, as Shane Herrity (nine points, seven rebounds in his final game) converted a pair at the stripe and Tyler Washington (16 points, 3-5 from long range) banged a huge triple to essentially ice the game at 79-65. Anderson led the way for the Golden Knights with 17 bench points, while Matt Cerutti (14 points, 4-6 from distance in his career swan song) and Sekou Sylla (12 points, seven rebounds) also paid dividends. All five Pace starters reached double digits in the score column and accounted for all but one of the club’s points, headed by Wejnert (19 points, seven rebounds), Brandon Jacobs (14 points, 4-7 from afar, five assists), Tyrn Cohen, Jr. (13 points, 4-5 from 3), Greg Poleon (11 points, four assists) and Austin Gilbertson (10 points). Both teams made 48% of their shots, but Saint Rose held a 21-12 advantage in mistake points, aiding its cause. Pace – which heads into the playoffs on a five-game losing streak – will travel to Franklin Pierce on Friday, with the winner visiting Le Moyne on Sunday.
POLL POSITION
St. Anselm is once again the region’s top-ranked team in the NABC Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, climbing four spots to #18, while Daemen drops nine rungs to #22. St. Thomas Aquinas is once again receiving votes. Undefeated Northwest Missouri State remains the unanimous #1. The regional rankings are due out Wednesday afternoon and will be tweeted out as soon as they are released.