Hernandez led four players scoring in double figures with 21 points to lead top-seeded Western New England College to a 74-58 victory over eight-seeded Castleton State College in a quarterfinal round game of the ECAC Division III New England Championship Wednesday evening.
Hernandez made 6-of-16 shots from the field, including 5-of-11 three-pointers, and all four charity shots as the Golden Bears (20-8) hit the 20-win mark for the first time since 2001.
Junior forward Jim Bayne (Bristol, CT) (16 points, 10 rebounds) and sophomore forward Kyle Fredette (Wallingford, VT) (12 points, 11 rebounds) each contributed double-doubles while senior center Deon Thomas (Albany, NY) added 11 points and seven rebounds coming off the bench.
Castleton State (15-12) held a 24-23 lead before Western New England College ended the half with a 14-0 run for a 37-24 advantage. The Golden Bears led by as many as 25 points twice in the second half.
Senior forward Jeremy Jorgensen (Fairlee, VT) had a double-double for the Spartans with 15 points and a game high 13 rebounds. Sophomore guard Kevin Cayea (Red Hook, NY) netted 11 points and sophomore guard Josh Howe (Randolph, VT) 10 points, both in a reserve role.
Western New England College will host fourth-seeded Endicott (a 68-67 winner over fifth-seeded Lasell) at 7:00 p.m. Friday (Mar. 2) in a semifinal round game of the ECAC Tournament.
Second-seeded St. Joseph's (Maine) (a 70-65 winner over seventh-seeded Roger Williams) will entertain sixth-seeded Curry (a 108-88 winner over third-seeded Emerson) in the other semifinal contest.
The championship game will be played at the highest remaining seed on Saturday (Mar. 3).