Instead, the runner-up, Fairleigh Dickinson, was awarded the conference's automatic bid by winning the seminfinal game over Saint Francis (PA).
[1][2] The conference's rule change regarding reclassifying institutions resulted in Merrimack being eligible for the 2023 NEC tournament,[1] since it was in its fourth transition year.
Reid shot 11 for 13 from the field, including 6 for 7 from three-point range, and added nine rebounds for the Warriors, who led 54–33, at halftime.
St. Francis Brooklyn cut the deficit to four points with 1:48 to play, after an 11–4 run, led by redshirt freshman Zion Bethea, but the Knights hit their free throws down the stretch.
[8][14] Josh Cohen's 25 points and 12 rebounds led Saint Francis (PA) past Central Connecticut, 83–69.
With the game tied at 9, Devon Savage, who had eight points in the first half, hit a layup and a three-pointer to put the Warriors ahead for good.
The Pioneers used a 7–0 run late in the first half to pull within a single point, but baskets by Javon Bennett and Jordan Derkack in the closing moments gave the Warriors a 33–28 lead at the break.
Merrimack put the game away with a 14–3 run in the second half, which included two dunks by Minor and gave them a 60–43 lead with 6:24 to play.
In the closing minutes of a tight first half, Fairleigh Dickinson went on an 8–2 run to build a 10-point lead, but Maxwell Land's buzzer-beating deep three-pointer left the Knights up by 35–28 at halftime.
The Warriors closed the game on an 8–0 run, capped by a Jordan McKoy free through with 8.3 seconds remaining, that gave them a 67–66 lead.
After McKoy missed his second free throw, Demetre Roberts dribbled up the floor but was long on a contested three-pointer from the top of the key at the buzzer, sealing the victory and first NEC tournament title for Merrimack.
On the ensuing possession, Singleton drove the lane and passed to Ansley Almonor in the corner for a three-point attempt that was long.
# Due to Merrimack's ineligibility, the semifinal between Saint Francis and Fairleigh Dickinson decided the NEC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.