WESTON, Mass. – The Regis College men's basketball team used 37 bench points to defeat Nichols College, 78-66, in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference game Wednesday evening at Regis Athletic Arena. The Pride improves to 9-14 overall and 3-9 in TCCC games while Nichols, which was led by 16 points and eight rebounds each from Chris Smith (Moosup, Conn.) and Ryan Wilcox (East Granby, Conn.), dips to 13-11 and 8-4 in conference play.

Chris Paquin (Barre, Mass.) added eight rebounds.for the Bison while John Costello (Tolland, Conn.) picked up 10 points and a pair of rebounds in just 16 minutes of action. Regis was paced by 20 points each from Derrick Neal and Ta'Keame Gomes.

Nichols jumped out a quick 6-0 lead before the home team pumped out a 23-7 run to take a 10-point lead with just over eight minutes left in the half. Regis extended its lead to as many as 14 before the Bison cut it to six, 37-31, headed into halftime.

The Bison chipped away at the Pride's lead early in the second half, tying twice on a pair of treys- first from Wilcox just past the opening minute, then again on a Paquin trifecta two minutes later. The Pride, however rallied back, edging ahead 10 points by the 8:37 mark after a 19-9 run.

Nichols again controlled the glass in the game, outrebounding Regis, 49-40, leading to a 20-11 advantage in second-chance points.

The Bison are back in action Saturday at University of New England for their TCCC finale. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.. 

Box Score