WNEC to host TCCC playoff contest

NEW LONDON, N.H. – The Western New England College men's basketball team ended its regular season with a 72-59 loss at Colby-Sawyer Saturday afternoon (Feb. 23) in the first meeting ever between the schools.

Despite the setback, WNEC (15-12) earned the fourth seed in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Tournament.  The Golden Bears, who were 9-4 in their first season in the league, will host fifth-seeded University of New England (also 15-10, 9-4 TCCC) on Tuesday (Feb. 26).

Western New England College fell behind early and never caught up as the Chargers bolted to a 46-24 lead at half-time. The Golden Bears played better in the second half holding the hosts to only seven points in the final 9:51.

Senior guards Asif Abdul-Wadud (Springfield, MA) and Ryan Hernandez (Hampton Bays, NY) each scored 14 points for Western New England College. Senior forward Jim Bayne (Bristol, CT) netted eight points and pulled down seven rebounds. Junior forward Kyle Fredette (Wallingford, VT) had a game high eight rebounds.

Abdul-Wadud connected on 6-of-9 shots from the field while Hernandez was 5-for-10, including 4-of-7 from three-point range.

Sophomore guard Dave Rosso (Wilmington, VT) led three Colby-Sawyer players in double figures with 24 points (9-of-16 from the field) while junior guard Andrew Cousins (South Portland, ME) and junior forward Duncan Szeliga (Newmarket, NH) added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Szekiga also grabbed six rebounds and had six assists.

This was the 300th win for Colby-Sawyer coach Bill Forti who is in his 16th season.

The Chargers improve to 13-10 overall and 8-5 in the conference.