Local Pair, Eastern Headed to DIII Hoop Tourney

WILLIMANTIC, CT – A local duo is headed to the Division III dance.

Top-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University back from a 13-point first-half deficit for a 72-70 win over second-seeded Keene State College in the championship game of the 2017 Little East Conference tournament Saturday afternoon at Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium.

Senior tournament MVP Hugh Lindo of Enfield battled injuries in the title game to finish with his 19th double-double of the year with 12 points and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes. The 6-foot-4 forward had 11 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks in a semifinal win over UMass Boston.

Junior guard Tarchee Brown from Rockville High School, the LEC scoring leader, was injured with 12 minutes left and did not return. He totaled eight points, six rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes.

With its fourth LEC title win in seven finals appearances, Eastern (20-8) qualifies automatically for the NCAA Division III tournament.

After winning its fourth straight LEC regular-season title this year, Eastern captured its first tournament title since downing Rhode Island College in the 2012 championship game at home. Keene State (19-9) had won the last two LEC titles, both coming on Eastern’s home court. The title matchup between the teams was the first.

The win gives Eastern its seventh 20-win season in the last eight years.

Photo Credit: ECSU Athletics