The win was the second consecutive extra-session victory for the Nor'easters, who finish the season with an overall record of 9-16 and conference mark of 5-11. UNE ends in a three-way tie (North Division) with New England College and Wentworth for the final spot in the upcoming CCC Tournament but was eliminated from playoff consideration (tie-breaker) by posting a 1-3 record versus the two squads. Nichols (10-14, 6-10 CCC)--seeded fourth in the South Division--will travel to Gordon College for an opening-round game Tuesday.
The Nor'easters rallied late in both regulation and the first overtime to send the game to a second extra period. In regulation UNE trailed 59-51 with 2:23 to play before staging a dramatic comeback. Matt McManus '06 (Cumberland, R.I.) sliced through the lane to convert a runner with four seconds to play, capping the Nor'easters charge back and make the score 62-all to force overtime.
Nichols scored the first five points in the first overtime before Isaac Stickney '08 (Rumford, Maine) hit a shot with 1:30 left to cut the margin to three (67-64). After the Bison failed to convert on their next possession, the Nor'easters grabbed a pair of offensive rebounds after misses to stay alive. UNE missed a pair of free throw with 12 seconds on the clock, but Regis collared another offensive board and his ensuing put-pack made the score 67-66.
The Bison pushed the lead to three (69-66) on a pair of free throws by Jon Costello '09 (Tolland, Conn.) with nine seconds to play. After a UNE timeout Mark Oliver '06 (Gloucester, Mass.) pushed the ball upcourt and buried a 3-pointer with two seconds on the clock to force another overtime.
Regis knocked down back-to-back treys to start the next frame, giving UNE a 75-69 lead. The Bison scored six unanswered points--all by Chris Vallee '08 (Ashburnham, Mass.)--to draw even again.
UNE took the lead for good when Stickney converted a layup with 1:44 left to give UNE a 77-75 advantage. Both teams made 1 of 2 free throws in the final minute, then Button drove the lane to ice the game with 14 seconds remaining.
Regis finished 8-for-14 from the floor, including a 4 of 8 performance from beyond the arc. Stickney (13 points, 11 rebounds) and Button (10 points, 10 boards) each recorded double-doubles for the second straight game. Oliver added 10 points and five assists for the Nor'easters, who held a 44-35 edge on the glass.
Vallee poured in a game-high 26 points in a losing effort. He was 12 of 15 from the free throw line and had three steals. Greg Sturdahl '09 (Exeter, R.I.) had 15 points for Nichols, while Casey Butler '06 (East Longmeadow, Mass.) contributed 11 points, 10 boards and five assists.