The Colonials, 24-4, will face WPI, 23-3 on Saturday, March 5 at Harrington Auditorium at 7 p.m.
WestConn never trailed in the game and pulled ahead by 10 points with 11:29 remaining in the first half on a lay up by Jason Barnett (Windsor, CT).
The Colonials’ lead grew to as many 13 points in the first stanza, the last time on a layup by Jeff Gene (Bridgeport, CT) with 6:37 remaining in the half.
The Gulls, 22-6 managed to tie the game at 2-2 30 seconds into the contest but could never pull in front the entire game. Two free throws from Gary Corbett (Danbury, CT) capped off a 15-8 run and cut Endicott’s deficit to six points with 31 seconds left in the half.
Endicott, winners of the Commonwealth Coast Conference, drew within two points on a deep three pointer from Zach Ellis (Westford, MA) 17:43 remaining in the game, 42-40.
WestConn, champions of the Little East Conference with a thrilling 135-130 double-overtime victory last Saturday, went on a 16-5 run over the next 8:29 to build its lead back up to 13 points, 58-45.
Senior center Brice Assie (Bridgeport, CT) led the Colonials with 21 points on nine of 15 shooting from the field. He also had eight rebounds and a game-high five blocked shots.
Kimani Crawford (West Hartford, CT) and Gene added 13 points apiece. Greg Cole (Terrytown, NY) had 11 points despite shooting four of 11 from the field.
Barnett grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for the winners.
The Gulls were led by sophomore forward Nemanja Marinkovic (Belgrade, Serbia) who had a game-high 22 points while pulling down nine boards.
James Leveque (Dorchester, MA) also collected nine rebounds for Endicott.
WestConn is making its 10th trip to the NCAA Tournament. Its best showing came in 1990 when it advance to the Round of Eight.
Endicott vs Western Connecticut 03/03/05 7 p.m. at Danbury, Conn. Feldman Arena At Danbury, Conn. Feldman Arena WESTERN CONNECTICUT 73, ENDICOTT 62 ENDICOTT (22-6) Nemanja Marinkovic 9-21 3-4 22; Josh Oxton 7-20 3-4 19; Michael Sullivan 4-4 0-0 8; Zach Ellis 2-13 0-0 6; James Leveque 1-3 2-3 4; Gary Corbett 0-6 3-4 3; Todd Burton 0-1 0-0 0; Sam Evans 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 23-71 11-15 62. WESTERN CONNECTICUT (24-4) Brice Assie 9-15 3-4 21; Kimani Crawford 5-9 3-3 13; Jeff Gene 4-10 5-8 13; Greg Cole 4-11 1-2 11; Jason Barnett 2-3 5-8 9; Jay Reginatto 2-9 0-0 4; Kyle Norfleet 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 26-59 19-29 73. Endicott...................... 34 28 - 62 Western Connecticut........... 40 33 - 73 3-point goals-Endicott 5-26 (Zach Ellis 2-13; Josh Oxton 2-7; Nemanja Marinkovic 1-4; Gary Corbett 0-2), Western Connecticut 2-14 (Greg Cole 2-8; Jay Reginatto 0-5; Brice Assie 0-1). Fouled out--Endicott-Josh Oxton, Western Connecticut-None. Rebounds-Endicott 44 (James Leveque 9; Nemanja Marinkovic 9), Western Connecticut 45 (Jason Barnett 11). Assists-Endicott 15 (Josh Oxton 6), Western Connecticut 14 (Jay Reginatto 4). Total fouls-Endicott 22, Western Connecticut 15. A-1245 FIRST ROUND - NCAA DIVISION III MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Western Connecticut advances and will play WPI on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m.