The Terriers, who have now won two straight, improve to 8-11 (8-4 NAC), while NEC falls to 6-13 (3-9 NAC) on the season.

The first half saw six different lead changes, with both teams shooting well from the floor, and distributing the scoring across the team. The Terriers took their largest lead of the half at 9:33 with a jump shot by Adam Carlsen, giving the hosts a 24-18, six point advantage. NEC however would proceed on a 14-0 run immediately following and give them their largest point differential of eight, 31-24.

Dezron Wilson had a monstrous opening stanza for the Pilgrims, recording 15 points, while shooting 6-10 from the field.

The second half provided even more excitement than the first, as the conference foes exchanged the leads 13 times. Once the Terriers took the lead at 4:48 with two free throws by Eric Westbrooks, they were able to hold on to it for good, despite a valiant effort by the Pilgrims.

The Red and Black had five players in double figures for scoring, as Stanley Greene Jr. contributed with 18, Garen Manzo and Carlsen both with 13, and Marquis Pollard chipped in with 11 along with a game-high nine rebounds.

New England College was led by Wilson, who had a game-leading 29 points, while Jonathan Brynes added 18 points in the losing effort.

Overall, Thomas shot 46% (29-63) from the floor, while going 37.5% (9-24) from downtown, while the Pilgrims went 29-62 (46.8%) from the field, and 5-12 (41.7%) from the perimeter.

Thomas will make their finals Vermont swing of the regular season next weekend, as the Terriers will take on Johnson State on Friday, and Lyndon State on Saturday. Earlier this season in Waterville, Thomas defeated both schools, 104-77 and 76-66, respectively.