REGIS COLLEGE DEFEAT NO. 11 ELMS COLLEGE 66-63

Weston, Mass.-Ranked No. 11 in the country by D3Hoops.com, Elms College was the likely favorite facing the second-year men's program of Regis College. Unrelenting heart poured out from the Pride team, as they would upset the Blazers 66-63 in the Park Lodge Hotel Tournament Sunday.

With the win, Regis College also captured its first tournament championship. This is how it happened, a three pointer by Josh Irvin (New Britain, CT) at 2:25 pulled the Pride within three points 63-60.

Freshman Ta'Keame Gomes would steal a pass from Aswad Thomas (Hartford, CT) with less than 2:10 on the clock. Gomes led all Pride scores with 16 points, and went 100 percent (7-of-7) from the free throw line.

Junior James Cooper (Philadelphia, PA) would bring the Pride within one sinking both free throws with 2:00 remaining in the game. Cooper shot 66 percent from the line on the night. He finished with 15 points and five assists. Cooper was also named Park Lodge Hotel Most Valuable Player.

Derrick Neal (Boston, Mass.) with 15 points and 10 rebounds, the talented lefty would be called upon to sink two crucial free throws to give Regis College the lead with less than 13 seconds in the championship.

Neal was perfect from the line, and shot 60 percent (3-of-5) from three-point land. He's shooting better than 50 percent on the season.

The Blazers Javon Mathis (West Hartford, CT) was a force in the game. Mathis bordered a double-double at halftime with 14 points and nine rebounds. The junior finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds. He was also named to the all-tournament team, along with Thomas. Thomas finished with 14 points. As a team, Regis College scored 20 points off of turnovers, to the Blazers 16.

Thomas had eight of the Blazers 16 total turnovers.

Ronald Thomas (Chicago, IL) finished with 13 points, and was the only Elm's player with a possible chance of tying the game with :06 remaining.

A rebound by Neal sealed the Pride's victory.

Elms College will head to Becker College Jan. 10, while Regis College will take on Fitchburg State College Jan. 6.