WESTON, Mass. – The New England College men's basketball team could not solidify themselves over the hump at Regis College on Tuesday evening at the Higgins Court in Weston, Massachusetts in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.  

THE BASICS 
Score: New England College 67, Regis College 72 
Records: Pilgrims 4-16, 1-8 GNAC | Pride 9-11, 4-5 GNAC 

TURNING POINTS 

    FIRST HALF 

• Regis made an impression as they scored the first six points of the game as senior guard Cameron Wilkins (Taunton, Mass) put in a couple of contributing layups. 
• After a successful three-pointer by junior guard Alex Williams (Miramar, Fla.), NEC took the lead with 14:33 remaining in the first half making it 12-11. 
• By spreading the wealth amongst different players, both teams battled neck and neck for the next 5 minutes and 23 seconds where they would be knotted at 20 a piece. 
• From there the Pride would go on a 17-7 run that was an outcome from a barrage of triples including a couple from junior forward Rau Russell (Fitchburg, Mass.), and would help the team to a 37-27 lead going into halftime. 

    SECOND HALF 

• Looking to get back on track, 'Grims sophomore guard Michael Hills (Baton Rouge, Lous.) hit a three-pointer that would cut the opposing lead to 37-30 with 30 seconds into the second half. 
• Regis would utilize the power of a home court advantage as they sparked a 12-4 run in a little over three-minute span with yet again more threes in the basket to turn the outburst into a 49-36 lead. 
• With 16:11 remaining, NEC would embark on a huge 21-5 run that was led by six points each from graduate guard Nick Gomeau (Enfield, Conn.) and senior guard Kyle Inglis (Burlington, Mass.) with Gomeau hitting the two-point jumper to give the 'Grims the lead. 
• The Pride would not be denied as scored nine straight points that was iniatiated by a three-ball by graduate guard Justin Evelyn (Uniondale, N.Y.). 
• From then on, the 'Grims would chip away into the deficit, cutting it to one with 1:34 remaining, but could not get much more than that as they had to foul and end a nearly completed comeback to a 72-67 loss in conference play. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Hills led all scores for the NEC with 16 points along with Williams and Gomeau chipping in 13 and 11 respectively. 
• Regis was led by Russell who had 17 points on 5-10 shooting to go with 12 rebounds and three assists. Evelyn was close behind with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. 
• It was a battle in the paint, and despite the loss the 'Grims had a 30-28 pooint advantage in that area. 
• NEC also outscored Pride off the bench with a 20-15 contribution. 
• Regis ended with FG-3PT-FT splits of 41.3-34.5-76.9% whereas the 'Grims finished with 40.7-33.3-81.3%. 

UP NEXT 

• Up next for NEC, the team will return to the friendly confines of Bridges Gymnasium to take on their archrival in Mitchell College on Saturday, February 3rd at 3:30 PM. 
• For Regis, they will stay home and host the Raiders of Rivier University on Saturday, February 3rd at the Higgins court for Alumni Appreciation Day with tipoff at 3:00 PM. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.