Bison pull away in final two minutes

SEAHAWK MEN'S BASKETBALL RESULTS

Nichols 80, Salve Regina 74
Dudley, Mass. - Nichols Athletic Center
Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Link to box score
http://www.salveathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/boxscores/20160119_zjox.xml

DUDLEY, Mass. - Junior Nicholas Bates (Danvers, Mass.) posted his fifth consecutive game with a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds), but Nichols College defeated Salve Regina University, 80-74, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball action.

Series and Streaks
The Bison have now won six in a row against the Seahawks and trail the all-time series, 25-23.

Three Stars of the Game
1 – Nichols senior Gustave Koumare (Harlem, N.Y.) – scored a game-high 23 points to go along with five rebounds, four dimes, and four assists; was a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line.
2 – Salve Regina junior Nicholas Bates (Danvers, Mass.) – recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds; also notched two assists and one steal in 35 minutes.
3 – Nichols senior Christian Horton (Rutland, Mass.) – filled the stat sheet with 15 points, three assists, and two.

Key Stat of the Game
Nichols made 15 of its 17 free throws (88 percent) and won despite the Seahawks shooting 52 percent (30-of-58) from the floor.

Turning Point
Having erased an earlier seven-point deficit (52-45), the Bison once again found themselves behind in the second half, this time by three (65-62) with 4:25 on the clock. A layup by Eggleston and a three-point play by Koumare (sandwiched around two free throws from Barrett Hanlon) knotted the score at 67 with 3:45 to go. Freshman and reigning CCC Rookie of the Week Marcos Echevarria (Lynn, Mass.) then banged in a three from the left corner with 1:47 remaining to give Nichols the lead for good.

Quick Hits

• The Bison forced 18 turnovers – including six by Hanlon – while committing just seven of their own, marking the seventh time this season they have committed fewer than 10 turnovers in a game. Not surprisingly, the Bison are 6-1 in those contests.
• Nichols is 3-0 when it shoots at least 88 percent from the free throw line.
• The Seahawks outrebounded the Bison 39-30, led by Bates with 10 and senior Barrett Hanlon (Hopkinton, Mass.) with eight. Eggleston snared nine to lead Nichols.

Next up
Salve Regina (5-11; 2-7 CCC) – Saturday, January 23 at Curry, 3 p.m.
Nichols (13-3; 7-2 CCC) – Saturday, January 23 vs. Wentworth, 12 p.m.