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  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, right, is fouled shooting the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, right, is fouled shooting the ball by Northeastern's Zach Stahl during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

  • William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, center, loses control of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, center, loses control of the ball to the defense of Elon's Kevin Blake, left, and Elijah Bryant, right, during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, left, drives to the basket...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, left, drives to the basket around Hofstra's Juan'ya Green during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Omar Prewitt shoots the ball under pressure...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Omar Prewitt shoots the ball under pressure form Charleston's Nick Harris during the second half of their CAA match in Williamsburg. W&M downed Charleston 75-45.

  • Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, center, drives to the basket...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, center, drives to the basket through Hofstra's Dion Nesmith, left, and Juan'ya Green, right, during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Greg Malinowski, left, and Tom Schalk, right,...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Greg Malinowski, left, and Tom Schalk, right, battle for a rebound with Elon's Collin Luther, center, during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Terry Tarpey get the layup past Towson's...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Terry Tarpey get the layup past Towson's Timajh Parker-Rivera during the second half Wednesday at W&M.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton (3_ shoots over Hofstra's Moussa...

    Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton (3_ shoots over Hofstra's Moussa Kone (31). The Tribe beat Hofstra in the second overtime period, 92-91, in the semifinals of the CAA Men's Basketball Championship at the Royal Farms Arena.

  • William & Mary Tribe sign in the stands before the...

    Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

    William & Mary Tribe sign in the stands before the Championships of the CAA Basketball Tournament against the Northeastern Huskies at the Royal Farms Arena on March 9, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.

  • Hofstra's Juan'ya Green (1) tries to maintain control of the...

    Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun

    Hofstra's Juan'ya Green (1) tries to maintain control of the ball, driving toward the basket against William and Mary's Tom Schalk (43). William and Mary beat Hofstra in the second overtime period, 92-91, in the semifinals of the CAA Men's Basketball Championship at the Royal Farms Arena.

  • Baltimore, Md--3/6/15--#3 Marcus Thornton, William & Mary, drives toward the...

    Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun

    Baltimore, Md--3/6/15--#3 Marcus Thornton, William & Mary, drives toward the basket in a quarterfinal game of the men's CAA basketball tournament against Elon at Royal Farms Arena. William & Mary wins 72-59. Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun. #1673.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, center, loses control of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, center, loses control of the ball to James Madison University's Jackson Kent, left, during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary Terry Tarpey tires to get past UNC...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary Terry Tarpey tires to get past UNC Wilmington's C.J. Gettys during the first half Wednesday in Williamsburg.

  • Northeastern's Scott Eatherton, left, shoots as William and Mary's Tom...

    Gail Burton, Associated Press

    Northeastern's Scott Eatherton, left, shoots as William and Mary's Tom Schalk tries to block in the half of an NCAA college basketball game in the CAA Championship basketball tournament Monday, March 9, 2015, in Baltimore.

  • William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, center, shoots the ball around...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, center, shoots the ball around Delaware's Kyle Anderson, left, Devonne Pinkard, center, and Maurice Jeffers during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Marcus Thornton heads up court hatter hitting...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Marcus Thornton heads up court hatter hitting a three pointer Wednesday agains Towson.

  • William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, center, drives to the basket...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, center, drives to the basket around James Madison University's Yohanney Dalembert, left, and Ron Curry, right, during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Daniel Dixon, who made the game-winning shot, is congratulated by...

    Amy Davis, Daily Press

    Daniel Dixon, who made the game-winning shot, is congratulated by William and Mary fans after the game. The Tribe beat Hofstra in the second overtime period, 92-91, in the semifinals of the CAA men's basketball semifinals at the Royal Farms Arena.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • David Walker #4 of the Northeastern Huskies drives to the...

    Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

    David Walker #4 of the Northeastern Huskies drives to the basket over Daniel Dixon #0 of the William & Mary Tribe during the Championships of the CAA Basketball Tournament at the Royal Farms Arena on March 9, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.

  • William and Mary's Greg Malinowski, right, battles for a rebound...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Greg Malinowski, right, battles for a rebound with Elon's Tony Sabato, left, during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, left, attempts to shoot the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, left, attempts to shoot the ball around Northeastern's David Walker, center, and Scott Eatherton during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, left, steals the ball away...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, left, steals the ball away from Northeastern's T.J. Williams, right, during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

  • William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, left, shoots the ball around...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, left, shoots the ball around Delaware's Maurice Jeffers during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, left, celebrates with teammate Oliver...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, left, celebrates with teammate Oliver Tot in second half during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Sean Sheldon, right, shoots the ball while...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Sean Sheldon, right, shoots the ball while being fouled by Elon's Kevin Blake during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Daniel Dixon, Omar Prewitt, and Sean Sheldon...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Daniel Dixon, Omar Prewitt, and Sean Sheldon battle for a rebound with James Madison University's Andre Nation, left, during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Marcus Thornton celebrates after coming from 22...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Marcus Thornton celebrates after coming from 22 points down at halftime to beat UNC Wilmington 76-72 Wednesday in Williamsburg.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Jack Whitman is fouled while shooting by...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Jack Whitman is fouled while shooting by Washington College's Dave Knox, left, during Friday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Baltimore, Md--3/6/15--#3 Marcus Thornton, William & Mary, holds off #10...

    Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun

    Baltimore, Md--3/6/15--#3 Marcus Thornton, William & Mary, holds off #10 Austin Hamilton, Elon, as he moves the ball in the first period of a quarterfinal game of the men's CAA basketball tournament at Royal Farms Arena. William & Mary wins 72-59. Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun. #1761.

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton cuts through Hofstra defenders during...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton cuts through Hofstra defenders during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Oliver Tot, left, loses control of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Oliver Tot, left, loses control of the ball while battling for a rebound with Delaware's Maurice Jeffers during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Marcus Thornton gets the layup past UNC...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Marcus Thornton gets the layup past UNC Wilmington's Cedrick Williams during the second half Wednesday in Williamsburg.

  • William and Mary's Sean Sheldon, right, battles for a rebound...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Sean Sheldon, right, battles for a rebound with Washington College's Sean Flanigan, left, and John Weston, center, during Friday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William & Mary's Terry Tarpey goes up for a rebound...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Terry Tarpey goes up for a rebound against Towson's Timajh Parker-Rivera during the first half Wednesday at W&M.

  • Baltimore, Md--3/6/15--#3 Marcus Thornton, William & Mary, sinks another shot...

    Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun

    Baltimore, Md--3/6/15--#3 Marcus Thornton, William & Mary, sinks another shot from the free throw line. William & Mary v Elon in a quarterfinal game of the men's CAA basketball tournament Royal Farms Arena. William & Mary wins 72-59. Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun. #1776

  • Charleston's Donovan Gilmore and William & Mary's Terry Tarpey battle...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Charleston's Donovan Gilmore and William & Mary's Terry Tarpey battle for the ball during the second half Saturday at William & Mary. W&M downed Charleston 75-45.

  • William and Mary's Omar Prewitt and James Madison University's Yohanney...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Omar Prewitt and James Madison University's Yohanney Dalembert battle for control of the ball during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, right, dribbles around the defense...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, right, dribbles around the defense of Elon's Austin Hamilton, left, and Elijah Bryant, center, during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Oliver Tot, center, loses control of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Oliver Tot, center, loses control of the ball to Hofstra's Juan'ya Green, right, and Dion Nesmith, left, during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, right, looks for a pass...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, right, looks for a pass around Hofstra's Jamall Robinson during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Marcus Thornton loses the ball as he...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Marcus Thornton loses the ball as he tries to get past UNC Wilmington's C.J. Gettys and Jordan Talley during the first half Wednesday in Williamsburg.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, left, drives to the basket...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, left, drives to the basket around Northeastern's David Walker during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Omar Prewitt slam dunks the ball over...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Omar Prewitt slam dunks the ball over James Madison University's Connor Burchfield during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton reacts after missing three-pointer that...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton reacts after missing three-pointer that would have tied the game in the closing seconds during Saturday's game against Delaware at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, center, shoots the ball past...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, center, shoots the ball past James Madison University's Ron Curry, left, and Yohanny Dalembert during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • GAIL BURTON, Associated Press

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William & Mary's Jack Whitman tries to get the shot...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Jack Whitman tries to get the shot past Nick Harris of Charleston during the first half of their game Saturday in Williamsburg.

  • Tom Schalk #43 of the William & Mary Tribe takes...

    Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

    Tom Schalk #43 of the William & Mary Tribe takes a shot of Zach Stahl #33 of the Northeastern Huskies during the Championships of the CAA Basketball Tournament at the Royal Farms Arena on March 9, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.

  • GAIL BURTON, Associated Press

  • Baltimore, Md--3/6/15--Left to right, #10 Austin Hamilton, Elon, #25 Terry...

    Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun

    Baltimore, Md--3/6/15--Left to right, #10 Austin Hamilton, Elon, #25 Terry Tarpey, William & Mary, and #2 Dmitri Thomson, Elon, fight for a loose ball that Tarpey wins control of in the first period of their quarterfinal game of the men's CAA basketball tournament at Royal Farms Arena. William & Mary wins 72-59. Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun. #5922.

  • William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, center, loses control of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, center, loses control of the ball to James Madison University's Winston Grays, left, and Ron Curry, right, during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

  • William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, center, chases after the ball...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Terry Tarpey, center, chases after the ball in-between Elon's Kevin Blake, left, and Tanner Samson, right, during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • Baltimore, Md--3/6/15--#4 Omar Prewitt, William & Mary, dunks the ball...

    Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun

    Baltimore, Md--3/6/15--#4 Omar Prewitt, William & Mary, dunks the ball in the second period. William & Mary v Elon in a quarterfinal game of the men's CAA basketball tournament at Royal Farms Arena. William & Mary wins 72-59. Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun. #1652.

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, right, shoots the ball around...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, right, shoots the ball around the defense of Elon's Collin Luther during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Oliver Tot look for the shot under...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Oliver Tot look for the shot under pressure from UNC Wilmington's Cedrick Williams during the second half Wednesday in Williamsburg.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton shoots the ball past the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton shoots the ball past the defense of Northeastern's Quincy Ford during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary fans cheer as guard Marcus Thornton parades...

    Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun

    William and Mary fans cheer as guard Marcus Thornton parades by after the Tribe's 92-91 win in double overtime against Hofstra in the CAA semifinals.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • Marcus Thornton #3 of the William & Mary Tribe takes...

    Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

    Marcus Thornton #3 of the William & Mary Tribe takes a three point shot during the Championships of the CAA Basketball Tournament against the Northeastern Huskies at the Royal Farms Arena on March 9, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.

  • William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, right, drives to the basket...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Omar Prewitt, right, drives to the basket while being fouled by Elon's Jack Anton during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Sean Sheldon, right, shots the ball around...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Sean Sheldon, right, shots the ball around Delaware's Maurice Jeffers, left, during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Oliver Tot, right, tips the ball away...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Oliver Tot, right, tips the ball away from Elon's Christian Hairston during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Tom Schalk, center, battles for a rebound...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Tom Schalk, center, battles for a rebound with Delaware's Maurice Jeffers, left, and Devonne Pinkard during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, right, shoots a three-point shot...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, right, shoots a three-point shot over Delaware's Kory Holden, center, during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Marcus Thornton gets the layup past Charleston's...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Marcus Thornton gets the layup past Charleston's Joe Chealey during the first half of their CAA game Saturday in Williamsburg. W&M downed Charleston 75-45.

  • William & Mary's Terry Tarpey gets the dunk over Charleston's...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Terry Tarpey gets the dunk over Charleston's Donovan Gilmore during the first half of their CAA game in Williamsburg Saturday.

  • Gail Burton, Associated Press

  • William and Mary's Jack Whitman, left, and Omar Prewitt reach...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Jack Whitman, left, and Omar Prewitt reach for a rebound with Washington College's Peter Ciaccio during Friday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Daniel Dixon #0 of the William & Mary Tribe takes...

    Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

    Daniel Dixon #0 of the William & Mary Tribe takes a shot during the Championships of the CAA Basketball Tournament against the Northeastern Huskies at the Royal Farms Arena on March 9, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.

  • Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

  • William & Mary's Marcus Thornton is fouled by UNC Wilmington's...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Marcus Thornton is fouled by UNC Wilmington's Freddie Jackson late in the second half Wednesday in Williamsburg.

  • William and Mary's Terry Tarpey slam dunks the ball with...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Terry Tarpey slam dunks the ball with one hand during Friday's game against Washington College at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, left, drives to the basket...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, left, drives to the basket past Washington College's Dave Knox during Friday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary head coach Tony Shaver smiles during Friday's...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary head coach Tony Shaver smiles during Friday's game against Washington College at Kaplan Arena. Shaver reached 500 wins with Friday's victory.

  • William & Mary's Oliver Tot gets the dunk against UNC...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Oliver Tot gets the dunk against UNC Wilmington during the first half Wednesday in Williamsburg.

  • William and Mary's head coach Tony Shaver throws his arms...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's head coach Tony Shaver throws his arms into the air after a call from an official during Saturday's game against Northeastern at Kaplan Arena.

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, left, jumps to the basket...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, left, jumps to the basket past the defense of Washington College's James Drury during Friday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Connor Burchfield tries to keep Towson's Mike...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Connor Burchfield tries to keep Towson's Mike Morsell from driving to the basket during the firs half Wednesday at W&M.

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton drives to the basket around...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton drives to the basket around James Madison University's Andre Nation during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Terry Tarpey is fouled as he shoots...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Terry Tarpey is fouled as he shoots the ball by UNC Wilmington's Freddie Jackson but makes the basket late in the second half Wednesday.

  • William and Mary's Jack Whitman, right, shoots the ball over...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Jack Whitman, right, shoots the ball over Hofstra's Dion Nesmith, left, and Rokas Gustys, center, during Wednesday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Terry Tarpey gets the shot past Towson's...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Terry Tarpey gets the shot past Towson's Alex Gavrilovic during the second half Wednesday at W&M.

  • Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

  • William and Mary's Daniel Dixon, right, drives to the basket...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Daniel Dixon, right, drives to the basket past Northeastern's Reggie Spencer, left, during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • Washington College's Sean Flanigan, left, attempts to block the shot...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Washington College's Sean Flanigan, left, attempts to block the shot of William and Mary's Jack Whitman during Friday's game at Kaplan Arena.

  • William & Mary's Marcus Thornton drives to the basket past...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    William & Mary's Marcus Thornton drives to the basket past Charleston's Adjehi Baru during the first half of their game in Williamsburg Saturday.

  • William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, center drives to the basket...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    William and Mary's Marcus Thornton, center drives to the basket around the defense of Delaware's Cazmon Hayes, left, and Marvin King-Davis, right, during Saturday's game at Kaplan Arena.

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PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:

BALTIMORE — Comebacks have become part of William and Mary’s repertoire. Twenty points to UNC Wilmington earlier this season. Up off the mat at least three times in an epic tournament semifinal win one day earlier.

But 22 points down with four minutes remaining to a poised, experienced bunch trying to make its own history was a bridge too far.

Third-seeded Northeastern carved up the Tribe for long stretches and held on for a 72-61 win in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament championship game Monday at Royal Farms Arena.

“A real disappointing night, that’s for sure,” Tribe head coach Tony Shaver said. “It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what happened today. But I think in the simplest form, one team executed really well and one didn’t.”

William and Mary, the CAA’s No. 1 seed for the first time in history, again came up short in its quest for a first conference tournament title and first NCAA trip.

The Tribe (20-12) has the consolation of a berth in the National Invitation Tournament, as regular-season champ. The NIT field will be announced Sunday night, after the NCAA tournament selections are made.

“It’s good for us to be in a national tournament,” Tribe senior guard Marcus Thornton said. “Obviously, not our main goal, so we’re disappointed in that. But we definitely appreciate being able to make the NIT and play in it.”

Thornton concluded his career on the CAA stage with 20 points. He nearly brought William and Mary back from the brink, as the Tribe rattled off 16 consecutive points to pull within 67-61 with 36 seconds remaining.

But Northeastern’s Scott Eatherton hit a pair of free throws six seconds later. Thornton and Daniel Dixon missed 3-pointers at the other end, and the Huskies were able to run out the clock.

While William and Mary tried to shed its place among the so-called “Forgotten Five” — the five traditional Division I schools that have never made the NCAA tournament — Northeastern aimed to end its own NCAA drought.

The Huskies (23-11) earned their first trip to the NCAA tournament since 1991, thanks to a balanced, efficient offense and effective defense. They shot 59 percent from the field and made 12 of 20 shots from 3-point range. They also limited the CAA’s most efficient offense to 38-percent shooting, just the third time all season the Tribe shot less than 40 percent.

“We just weren’t really good with our hustle, what we wanted to do,” Thornton said. “We let them drive the ball, they got deep penetration. They got kick-outs. That’s something we talked about in pregame, we wanted to limit the good shots. They got off to a hot start. It was tough for us to come back from.”

Fatigue may have been a factor. The Tribe’s double-overtime 92-91 win against Hofstra on Sunday was physically and emotionally exhausting.

The dropoff was most evident for W&M sophomore Omar Prewitt. He scored a career-high 33 points against Hofstra, but managed just four points on 1-for-7 shooting Monday night.

Prewitt was often shadowed by 6-foot-8 Quincy Ford, who got the Huskies started at both ends of the floor. He scored eight of their first 10 points as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead, and had 15 of his game-high 22 points in the first half.

The Huskies exhibited offensive balance in the second half, working for quality shots against both William and Mary’s man-to-man and zone defenses. Junior Caleb Donnelly scored 10 of his 13 points and made huge 3-pointers — two of which bookended a six-minute run in which Northeastern extended a seven-point lead to 65-43.

The Tribe gamely punched back and nearly made a game of it. But after its fourth trip to the CAA title game in eight years, the program’s NCAA drought continues.

“We’re all heartbroken right now, I don’t want to kid you,” Shaver said, “because we thought we were good enough to win this thing. And we wanted to put that dad-blame history stuff to rest, and we didn’t. We didn’t. We’ll live with that. I do believe, you keep knocking on the door, the door’s going to open.”

Fairbank can be reached by phone at 757-247-4637.