SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Salve Regina University has earned the top seed for the 2012 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball championship, which begins with quarterfinal matchups on campus sites Tuesday.

The defending CCC Tournament Champion Seahawks (17-8 overall) captured the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament after compiling a league-best 15-3 record in CCC play.

On Tuesday, Salve Regina will host #8 seed Western New England (9-16, 6-12) at 8:00 p.m., while #2 seed Wentworth (16-9, 12-6) will host #7 seed Gordon (9-16, 8-10) at 7:00 p.m., #3 seed Endicott (17-8, 12-6) will host #6 seed Roger Williams (13-12, 9-9) at 8:00 p.m., and #4 seed Nichols (12-13, 10-8) will host #5 seed Curry (11-14, 9-9) at 7:00 p.m.

CCC tiebreaking procedures were utilized to determine the second, fifth and eighth seeds in the tournament.  Both Wentworth and Endicott finished tied for second place with identical 12-6 CCC records.  In the first step, the Leopards and Gulls split their regular-season matchups, yielding no relief.  In the second step, the performance of both teams was compared to other CCC teams from the top of the standings down until a difference emerged.  Wentworth posted a 1-1 against first seed Salve Regina, but Endicott was 0-2, giving Wentworth the second seed.

Both Curry and Roger Williams compiled identical 9-9 CCC records, but the Colonels captured both regular-season games against the Hawks, giving Curry the fifth seed.

Finally, Western New England and University of New England posted identical 6-12 CCC records. In the first step, the Golden Bears and Nor'easters split their regular-season matchups, yielding no relief. In the second step, the performance of both teams was compared to other CCC teams from the top of the standings down until a difference emerged. Both teams went 0-2 against first seed Salve Regina and second seed Wentworth.  Against third seed Endicott, Western New England posted a 1-1 mark, while UNE went 0-2, giving the eighth and final seed to the Golden Bears.

Quarterfinal winners will advance to the semifinal round which will be played on Thursday, February 23 at the sites of the higher seed.  Games are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m., but may be altered in the event that one institution hosts both a men's and a women's contest.

Semifinal winners will square off for the conference championship on Saturday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the site of the higher seed.

Per conference policies, admission will be charged for all playoff games. Tickets for the Wentworth/Gordon game will go on sale beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Nelson Recreation Center lobby. Adult tickets are $4.00, while student and children (over 12) tickets are $2.00. Students from both Wentworth and Gordon will be admitted free, provided they show a valid student ID.

Wentworth and Gordon are meeting for the third time this season with each team winning the game played on their home court. On January 19 the Leopards edged the Fighting Scots, 60-59, while this past Tuesday Gordon took an 80-57 win. The game will be the 41^st between the two schools with Gordon holding a 27-13 advantage. The two teams have met twice before in the post-season and have split those meetings.

(Release Courtesy of the Commonwealth Coast Conference)

2012 CCC MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals • Tuesday, February 21
#8 Western New England (9-16, 6-12) at #1 Salve Regina (17-8, 15-3), 8:00 p.m.
#7 Gordon (9-16, 8-10) at #2 Wentworth (16-9, 12-6), 7:00 p.m.
#6 Roger Williams (13-12, 9-9) at #3 Endicott (17-8, 12-6), 8:00 p.m.
#5 Curry (11-14, 9-9) at #4 Nichols (12-13, 10-8), 7:00 p.m.

Semifinals • Thursday, February 23
#1/8 winner vs. #4/5 winner, 7:00 p.m. (at higher seed)
#2/7 winner vs. #3/6 winner, 7:00 p.m. (at higher seed)
Times subject to change in the event of a men's/women's doubleheader

Championship Game • Saturday, February 25
Semifinal Winners, 7:00 p.m. (at higher seed)