BOSTON, Mass. – Freshman DeAnte Bruton (New London, Conn.) scored 22 points in Nichols College's 71-55 loss at Wentworth Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference action at Nelson Recreation Center.              
 
Classmate Jerome Cunningham (Westport, N.Y.) registered 10 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks while sophomore and CCC leading scorer Marcos Echevarria (Lynn, Mass.) was held to seven points on 1-of-12 shooting.
 
Freshman Matt Vartanian (Salem, N.H.) led four Wentworth student-athletes in double figures with 21 points (8-of-11 FG) and also snared 10 rebounds. Classmate Stephen Azums (Hyde Park, Mass.) chipped in with 13 points off the bench while juniors Jason Ganley (Northbridge, Mass.) and Cesar Fulcar (Watertown, Mass.) each scored 10 points.
 
The Leopards knocked down 47 percent of their field goals while holding the Bison to 35 percent shooting (21-of-60) – including 3-of-16 from downtown. Nichols entered the contest averaging 32 three-point attempts and 12 makes a game.
 
Bruton scored 14 of his team's 27 first-half points as the Bison found themselves down 11 at the half (38-27). Wentworth made 59 percent of their shots in the opening 20 minutes and was led by Vartanian with 11 points. Echevarria was held scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting.
 
Nichols climbed to within nine points on two occasions early in the second half before the Leopards regained a 10-point advantage that they held for the majority of the second half.
 
Wentworth dominated the glass, outrebounding the Bison 47-27.
 
All-Time Series
Today's game marks the 45th all-time meeting between Wentworth and Nichols College. The Leopards snapped a seven-game losing skid to the Bison but still trail the series, 23-22.
 
Next Games
Nichols (12-5, 7-3 CCC) – Wednesday, January 25 @ Roger Williams, 7:30 p.m.
Wentworth (8-9, 6-4 CCC) – Wednesday, January 25 @ UNE, 7:30 p.m.