DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols men's basketball team defeated Wentworth in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament Semifinals on Thursday night, 93-84, to advance to the championship game on Saturday, February 25.
 
The Leopards got out to an early 18-13 lead thanks to six early points from Tyler Stewart. A layup from Nichols guard Quincy Ferebee gave the Bison a 25-24 lead and they did not look back. The layup started a 17-4 run by Nichols to give them a comfortable 13-point lead. A three-pointer before the half for Wentworth cut the Bison lead to 10 before the break. Senior guard Ty Rucker had it going early for the Bison, dropping 15 points in the first half, while going 3-4 on threes.
 
The teams traded baskets to start the second half but a Matthew Alectus three gave the Bison their largest lead of the game at 14. Wentworth cut the lead to nine after a three by Jack Connell, but a Jakigh Dottin layup, followed by an Alectus block which led to a Ferebee jumper extended the lead back to 13. After six straight points by Wentworth, a three from Alectus with 3:10 remaining ended the run and essentially put the game out of reach. A few late baskets by Wentworth cut it to single digits but it was too little too late as the Bison advanced to their sixth straight CCC Championship game.
 
Dottin was the leading scorer for Nichols with 22 points, 16 of which came in the second half. Alectus recorded his 18th double-double of the season, registering 18 points to go along with 15 rebounds. Ferebee filled the stat sheet once again with 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Rucker and Tavon Jones each chipped in with 17 apiece to give the Bison five players in double figures for the second game in a row. Nichols forced 23 turnovers as a team, while only turning it over 11 times.
 
Nichols will take on Western New England, who defeated Endicott 79-71 on Thursday, in the championship game on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. from the Nichols Athletic Center. This is the first time these two teams will square off in the conference title game.