BENNINGTON, Vt. – The New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) announced Sunday the brackets for its 2015 basketball postseason championships, a pair of tournaments that will feature the Southern Vermont College men’s and women’s teams and be played in part at SVC’s Mountaineer Athletic Center.
Southern Vermont will host a first round women’s game on Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Newbury College, and the men’s team will then welcome the other three finalists to the MAC on Friday night for the Semifinals. The men’s Championship between the Semifinal winners will also be played at SVC at 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon, regardless of the Mountaineers’ result on Friday.
NECC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2015 CHAMPIONSHIP
The SVC women’s squad makes it to the postseason for the first time in the 22-year history of the program, setting a new team wins record with a 15-10 overall mark. The Mountaineers take the No. 3 seed in the NECC tournament after going 13-5 in league play. Southern Vermont will welcome sixth-seeded Newbury College (8-13, 7-11 NECC) Tuesday night for a first round matchup; SVC won both of its games against the Nighthawks during the regular season.
“I think us getting to the playoffs has brought SVC to the attention of the rest of the conference,” commented sixth year head coach Mike Quinn. “It was our goal from the beginning, and the team is thrilled that we reached a historic mark. Honestly, it’s been very satisfying to see the program reach our objective that we have had for a while. Seeing the fruits of our labor has been very rewarding, and now we are looking to make some noise in the Conference playoffs.”
The winner will go on to play in Friday’s semifinal round at top-seeded Regis College, taking on the victor of No. 2 Elms College (17-8, 15-3 NECC) and No. 7 Daniel Webster College (7-18, 7-11 NECC). Regis took the tournament’s only bye and the right to host the semifinals and championship rounds by going a perfect 18-0 in league play for the fourth straight year (20-5 overall). The Pride will face the winner of No. 4 Mitchell College (12-12, 12-6) and fifth-seeded Wheelock College (11-14, 9-9 NECC) in Friday’s other semifinal at RC. The winners of the two semis will then face off at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Regis for the crown.
“I’m so proud of our juniors,” continued Quinn. “They have hung together for two years, winning nine total games before this season. They’re the core of this success and deserve to feel responsible for turning the program around.” The Mountaineers have a total of six juniors on the squad and no senior players.
Quinn is confident of his crew’s ability to not only make the playoffs, but to see some success in the tournament. “The team is not done,” said the head coach. “They are all poised and ready to make a deep run in the playoffs starting Tuesday night in the opening round game against Newbury. We believe in ourselves, and we truly believe we can win this championship.”
2015 NECC Women's Basketball Tournament Bracket
Seven team single elimination tournament
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
- 6:00 PM – No. 7 Daniel Webster College @ No. 2 Elms College
- 7:00 PM – No. 6 Newbury College @ No. 3 Southern Vermont College
- 7:00 PM – No. 5 Wheelock College @ No. 4 Mitchell College
Friday, February 27, 2015 (Games played at No. 1 Regis College)
- 6:00 PM - Winner No. 5 Wheelock College/No. 4 Mitchell College vs. No. 1 Regis College
- 8:00 PM - Winner No. 6 Newbury College/No. 3 Southern Vermont College vs. Winner No. 7 Daniel Webster College/No. 2 Elms College
Saturday, February 28, 2015 (Game played at No. 1 Regis College)
- 2:00 PM - Championship Game
NECC MEN’S BASKETBALL 2015 CHAMPIONSHIP
The SVC men’s squad took home the NECC Regular Season Championship and No. 1 seed by going a perfect 16-0 in NECC action and 22-3 overall; Southern Vermont was the first team in the league on the men’s side to finish the Conference schedule undefeated since the 2011-12 Becker College team completed the feat. The Mountaineers take a first round bye and will host the semifinals and championship over the weekend. Regis College earned the No. 2 seed and the other first round bye, going 12-4 against the NECC (17-8 overall).
“We break down our season into three seasons,” commented second year head coach Dan Engelstad, “non-conference play, conference play, and postseason play. We are very proud that we were able to accomplish our goals in non-conference and conference play, but now we need to finish the job in the postseason. We are not satisfied and know that every team is capable and has the same goals as we do.”
This is the second straight trip to the NECC playoffs for the Mountaineers after losing to Regis in a first round contest in 2014. “Last year’s game reminds us how fast it can all end,” mentioned Engelstad. “This is a completely new season and group of players. We know we have to beat two good teams to attain our goals.”
Southern Vermont will play at 6 p.m. Friday night in the first semifinal contest, taking on the winner of Tuesday’s first round game between fifth-seeded Mitchell College (12-12, 9-7 NECC) at No. 4 Becker (15-10, 10-6 NECC). Regis then laces up for an 8 p.m. tip on Friday against the winner of the other first round game on Tuesday that sees sixth-seeded Daniel Webster College (8-13, 7-11 NECC) visit No. 2 Elms College (15-10, 10-6 NECC). The winners of Friday’s semis will advance to play for the title and right to go to the NCAA tournament at 5 p.m. Saturday evening at the MAC.
“This is a special group of selfless individuals who have put the team above themselves,” added Coach Engelstad. “We are excited to see what we can accomplish. It is always an advantage to play in your building; we have the greatest fans in the NECC.”
2015 NECC Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket
Six team single elimination tournament
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
- 7:00 PM – No. 5 Mitchell College @ No. 4 Becker College
- 8:00 PM – No. 6 Daniel Webster College @ No. 3 Elms College
Friday, February 27, 2015 (Games played at No. 1 Southern Vermont College)
- 6:00 PM - Winner No. 5 Mitchell College/No. 4 Becker College vs. No. 1 Southern Vermont College
- 8:00 PM - Winner No. 6 Daniel Webster College/No. 3 Elms College vs. No. 2 Regis College
Saturday, February 28, 2015 (Game played at No. 1 Southern Vermont College)
- 5:00 PM - Championship Game
The top six men’s teams qualify for the NECC Championship while the top seven women’s squads will compete. Predetermined tiebreaking procedures were used to seed teams with identical conference winning percentages.