CNE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: Second-Seeded Gulls Travel To Top-Seeded Western New England On Saturday

Posted: Feb 28, 2025

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — After last night's 71-47 home victory over third-seeded Roger Williams, second-seeded Endicott travels to Western New England on Saturday, March 1, for a 4 PM Conference of New England (CNE) Championship matchup against the top-seeded Western New England Golden Bears in Anthony S. Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Here's a preview of tomorrow's championship matchup.

TICKET INFO

Tickets are IN PERSON and CASH ONLY at the door. $5 for adults, $3 senior citizens & children above 12. Free for students with valid student ID (including Endicott students) and children under 12.

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Gulls hold a 22-14 advantage in the all-time series. This season, the teams split in the regular season, having each won on the road. Just last Saturday, Endicott handed WNE its second loss of the season (first home loss) and snapped the Golden Bears' 13-game winning streak.
The Golden Bears are led by CNE Player of the Year, Lilly Hedge (Guilford, Conn.). In 26 games this season (26 starts), she averaged 11.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, all of which were among tops in the league.
Conversely, the Gulls are led by CNE Defensive Player of the Year Libby Fleming (Bangor, Maine) and All-CNE First Teamer Emma Shinney (Wakefield, Mass.). Shinney led the team with her 14.3 points (sixth in CNE) and 5.1 assists (first in CNE) per game, while Fleming led the team in the rebounding (8.0; second in CNE) and block (1.3; second in CNE) categories.
Endicott is currently riding a 12-game win streak, its longest since the 2008-09 season. Additionally, the Blue and Green's 21 wins are the second most in program history (23-6, 2008-09; 23-7, 2013-14).
Jamie Insel looks to become the first Endicott head coach in program history to win a conference title in their first season at the helm. WNE head coach Nicole Chaszar looks to add to her two CNE titles, aiming to join UNE and Roger Williams as the only programs to have won back-to-back CNE titles.

WHAT'S NEXT

The winner of Saturday's contest receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The loser awaits the announcement of a potential at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. The selection show takes place on Monday, March 3 at 2:30 PM (EST) on NCAA.com.

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(Photo Credit - Brad Griffin '28)