SPRINGFIELD, Mass. â€" Junior forward Jim Bayne (Bristol, CT) had his ninth double double of the season with 13 points and 15 rebounds as the Western New England College men’s basketball team defeated visiting Emerson College 68-46 Tuesday night to clinch the regular season Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title.

The Golden Bears improved their record to 15-7 overall and 12-2 in the conference with their seventh consecutive victory. Coach Mike Theulen’s team has three games remaining before the playoffs begin later this month.

Senior center Deon Thomas (Albany, NY) added 13 points and six rebounds coming off the bench while junior guard Ryan Hernandez (Hampton Bays, NY) contributed 11 points in a reserve role. Junior guard Matt Maynard (Paterson, NJ) also was in double figures with 10 points. Sophomore forward Kyle Fredette (Wallingford, VT) also played a strong game finishing with seven points and nine rebounds.

Emerson played the game without star freshman forward Bryan Rouse who leads the conference in scoring (23.5 avg.). He didn’t make the trip because of an injury. Junior guard Will Dawkins (Springfield, MA) led the Lions with 15 points.

Western New England College jumped to a quick 16-3 lead and a commanding 31-11 advantage at halftime. The Golden Bears led by as many as 28 points in the second half. WNEC finished shooting 47.2% from the field and held a 51-22 edge off the boards.

Emerson had defeated Western New England College 53-51 back on January 18 in Boston. The Lions fall to 13-8 and 9-4 in the GNAC after losing for only the second time in their last seven outings.