PREVIEW: Men's Basketball Visits Lesley To Open NECC Tournament

VIDEO: Tournament Preview

WESTON, Mass. - The sixth-seeded Regis (Mass.) men's basketball team (9-16, 6-9 NECC) enters its final New England Collegiate Conference Tournament, visiting third-seeded Lesley University (15-10, 9-6 NECC) Tuesday, Feb. 21 for a chance to advance to the semifinal round and a Thursday matchup at No. 2 Becker College. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m.

The Pride dropped both games to the Lynx this season, the first a 61-58 defeat at Lesley (Jan. 24) then a 92-83 home loss on senior day (Feb. 14). The Pride lead the all-time series 11-3 but this will be the first postseason meeting between the two schools. Regis won its first round matchup a season ago over Daniel Webster and are two seasons removed from the program's first and only NECC title.

Despite enduring a seven-game conference losing streak during the season, the Pride won three of four games down the stretch, all on the road. The wins lifted Regis into the NECC Tournament where they are 7-4 overall.

The Pride are led by sophomore swingman Ademola Afonja who is averaging nearly a double-double with 12.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, both team highs. Chris Leak, Jr. is right behind him averaging 8.4 rpg and 11.3 ppg with seniors Jaiwon Martin and Sam Jean-Gilles also figuring to play a big role in the team's opening round game. 

What: NECC Men's Basketball Tournament
Who: No. 3 Lesley (15-10, 9-6 NECC) vs No. 6 Regis (9-16, 6-9 NECC)
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Where: Cambridge, Mass.

Tournament Schedule

First Round – Tuesday, February 21st
Game 1: #5 Mitchell @ #4 Wheelock 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: #6 Regis @ #3 Lesley 8:00 p.m.

Semifinals – Thursday, February 23rd
Game 3: Winner of Game 1 @ #1 Southern Vermont – 7:00pm
Game 4: Winner of Game 2 @ #2 Becker - 7:00pm

Championship – Saturday, February 25th
Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner – TBA

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