HENNIKER, N.H.—The top-seeded New England College Pilgrims downed the fifth-seed Beavers of the University of Maine-Farmington, 71-56, on Friday night in the North Atlantic Conference Semifinals to advance to its first NAC championship game in program history.

The Pilgrims also secured the program's first 20-win season and improve to 20-6. UMF sees its season come to a close at 14-13.

NEC LEADERS
The Pilgrims were led by freshman Kareem Octavien (Cambridge, Mass.) with 17 points, including a 7-for-10 effort at the free-throw line. Junior Ricky Leonard (Windsor, Conn.) added 14 points, followed by sophomore Izaiah Winston-Brooks (Roxbury, Mass.) with a double-double of 13-points and 11 rebounds.

Junior Jason Jones (Roxbury, Mass.) brought down a game-high 14 rebounds—as a team, the Pilgrims outrebounded their guests 48-34.

UMF LEADERS
The Beavers received a team-best 12 points from Eric Berry (Weld, Maine) followed by 11 points from Bill Ruby (Gorham, Maine). Amir Moss (Portland, Maine) added 10 points off the bench for UMF.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Pilgrims put forth a strong first half and more than doubled-up the Beavers in the scoring category. NEC held UMF to just 19 first-half points on a 31.0 percent shooting efficiency while exploding for 41 of their own points, shooting 15-for-23 (65.2 percent) from the floor.

The Pilgrims held the lead from early on but UMF hung with their hosts, not allowing them more than a six-point lead, for the first 10 minutes of the game.

With 11:39 remaining in the half, UMF used a layup by Ruby to come within three points, 15-12. It would prove to be the last basket for the Beavers for seven minutes and the Pilgrims took advantage of the drought by scoring 23-straight points for a 38-12 lead with 4:05 still to play. NEC carried the 41-19 advantage into halftime.

The Beavers held the Pilgrims to just four points over the first nine minutes of the second half while scoring 12 of their own points to cut the deficit to 45-31 with 12:31 still to play. Two minutes later UMF cut their deficit to 11 points, but it would prove to be the closest they would get for the remainder of the game.

NEC finished the game with an overall shooting percentage of 43.1 percent (25-58), while UMF finished at 35.6 percent (21-59). The Pilgrims held a 17-13 advantage in points off turnovers and a 14-7 edge in second-chance points. The Beavers outscored NEC 16-8 on the fast break.

QUOTE FROM THE COACH
"Our energy tonight was terrific! Our defensive pressure and pace played an integral role on our win. To host the NAC Championship is something we are very much looking forward to tomorrow." – Head Coach Charlie Mason

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pilgrims will play for their first NAC Championship title tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in Bridges Gym against #3 Colby-Sawyer, who defeated Husson 89-76 in the second semifinal of the night.