BOSTON, Mass. – After finishing fifth in the regular season, men's basketball (13-12, 6-8 LEC) will begin their Little East Conference tournament journey this evening at Plymouth State University (12-12, 6-8 LEC) at 7 p.m.
THE BASICS
What – 2017 Little East Conference Tournament Quarterfinal Round
Who - #4 Plymouth State University
Where – Foley Gymnasium, Plymouth, N.H.
When – 7:00 PM
GAMEDAY COVERAGE
Live Stats - https://portal.stretchinternet.com/plymouth/stats.htm?eventId=349456&streamType=video
Video – https://portal.stretchinternet.com/plymouth/portal.htm?eventId=349456&streamType=video
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Despite being picked to finish dead last in the conference preseason poll, head coach Jason Harris and his Beacons would not be denied during the 2016-17 campaign. Heading into the month of January, the Beacons were are actually tied for first in the conference standings. UMass narrowly missed out on hosting their first conference tournament game in over decade going into the final two weeks of the regular season.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
January 11 – UMass Boston 94, Plymouth State 90 (2OT)
February 11 – Plymouth State 67, UMass Boston 52
ALL-TIME SERIES
First Meeting – January 26, 1982
Total Games Played – 70
UMass Boston Wins – 21
Plymouth State Wins – 48
Postseason Meetings – 4
2/19/91 – UMass Boston 87, Plymouth State 83 (Quarterfinal)
2/23/93 – Plymouth State 78, UMass Boston 74 (Quarterfinal)
2/20/96 – Plymouth State 91, UMass Boston 60 (Quarterfinal)
2/22/05 – Plymouth State 112, UMass Boston 94 (Quarterfinal)
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS
UMass Boston – 1 (2006)
Plymouth State University – 0
ABOUT THE BEACONS
The Beacons have been led by the senior trio of Sam Freeman (Boston, Mass.), Dan Powers (Westwood, Mass.), and Iser Barnes (Boston, Mass.). Freeman enters the conference tournament averaging a career-high 17.5 points per game, while Powers is currently carrying a double-double of 11.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Barnes is currently averaging 11.3 points per game heading into his final conference tournament. The Beacons have been the most consistent team from the free throw line as they are shooting 71.3% (383-537). From the field, the Beacons are shooting 43.5%. In their first trip to New Hampshire, Freeman went-off for 28 points, while freshman Ty Lee (Boston, Mass.) grabbed a double-double of 11 rebounds and 14 points in the Beacons double overtime win over the Panthers. Head coach Jason Harris served as the interim head coach of the Panthers back in the 2007-08 season, after playing four-years at LEC member Rhode Island College.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS
Jack Preston has been the Panthers scoring force this season with his team-leading 18.8 points per game. The senior enters this year's tournament shooting 60.6% from the field, and is also the team's top rebounder with 8.3 boards per game. He leads the team with 1.8 blocks per game, and currently sits third on the team with 23.3 minutes played per game. As a team the Panthers are averaging 71.4 points per game, with Mike Osgood and Jaylen Leroy both averaging over 10 points per game. In their win over the Beacons, Preston finished with 25 points, while Ernie Johnson dropped in 16 in the conference decision.
WHAT'S NEXT
The winner of tonight's contest will advance to the semi-final round of the Little East Tournament this weekend. The winner of this year's tournament will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
