Beverly, MA-- The Endicott College men's basketball team travels to Western Connecticut State University this Thursday, March 3 at 7:00 p.m. for the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament at the O'Neill Center in Danbury, CT.

Endicott, which enters the NCAA's at 22-5, defeated Roger Williams University, 71-59 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship last Saturday, receiving the automatic bid into the National Tournament. The Gulls finished at 15-1 in the CCC, a program record and won the regular season title for the third year in a row.

EC Head Coach Michael Plansky has compiled an overall record of 116-48. The Gulls have won 12 straight and 19 of 20 games after opening the season with a 3-4 record. The team is making their 3rd NCAA appearance under the helm of Coach Plansky.

Western Connecticut, enters the NCAAs at 23-4, defeating Plymouth State University, 135-130 in double overtime in the Little East Conference Championship last Saturday to receive the automatic bid for the third time in the past four years. The team finished at 10-4 in the Little East Conference and shared the LEC regular-season title with Rhode Island College.

The Colonials are making their 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. A year ago, WestConn captured its second ECAC New England Championship. Head Coach Bob Campbell has compiled a 421-155 coaching record in 21 years at the Colonials' helm.

The winner of Thursday's match up will travel to WPI, 23-3, for a second-round meeting in Worcester, MA this Saturday, March 5th at Harrington Gym.