Mid Massachusetts News

Postseason Preview: No. 8 Women's Basketball Set to Travel to Roger Williams for CCC Quarterfinals on Tuesday

The No. 8 Nichols women's basketball team is gearing up for the postseason, as they will be traveling to Bristol, R.I. to take on No. 1 Roger Williams in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Women's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals.
 
The Bison, led by second-year head coach Dan Nagle, finished the regular season with a 7-18 (5-12 CCC) record and earned the eighth seed in the CCC Tournament. Nichols defeated CCC opponents Wentworth and Curry twice and collected a huge 24-point comeback win versus Salve Regina on January 18 in order to qualify for the tournament. The Bison also picked up non-conference wins over Thomas (ME) and Me.-Fort Kent.
 
Nichols is led by junior Abrianna Vazquez and senior Kiera Fernades, who are the top two leading scorers in the CCC, with 22.9 and 18.3 points per game, respectively. Fernandes also ranks second in the conference in three-point percentage, shooting 32.8% from beyond the arc.
 
The Bison lead the conference in multiple statistical categories, including scoring (77.8 ppg), three-pointers made (235), turnovers forced per game (31.8), and steals per game (17). They currently sit fifth in the country in steals per game, third in turnovers forced, and eighth in threes made.
 
The number top-seeded Hawks of Roger Williams completed an undefeated regular season in the CCC. They finished with a 22-3 (18-0 CCC) record overall and are winners of their last 10 games. The Hawks, who are receiving votes into the D3Hoops.com Top 25 Poll, are led by junior guard Katie Galligan and junior forward Caroline Ellie, both averaging just over 13 ppg. Roger Williams is the most efficient scoring team in the conference, shooting at a 44.8% clip from the field.
 
The winner of Tuesday's CCC Quarterfinals matchup will take on the winner of No. 4 Salve Regina and No. 5 Western New England in the semifinals on Thursday evening.  

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