GREENVILLE — Jack Britt will be heading to the East Regional final for back-to-back years after taking down Panther Creek 60-44 at Minges Coliseum on the campus of East Carolina on Tuesday.

Panther Creek was playing their second straight game without starters Earnest Ross and Brandon Oliver. Those two, plus reserve forward Karim Sako, were suspended for violation of team rules before the Catamounts' third-round game against Southern Durham, a 68-64 PC victory.

Catamounts coach L.J. Hepp would not comment on the nature of the suspensions, but did say the past few days had been hard to stomach.

"From a coaching standpoint, personally and professionally, this last period of time has probably been the most stressful, painful period of time in my life," Hepp said.

"There were lessons that were learned in the last week that will carry on through the rest of our team's lives. I think that's more powerful than 28-3."

Jack Britt shot a scorching 4-of-6 from beyond the arc in the first half, with Kevin Bobson going 3-for-3 by himself. Panther Creek, on the other hand, shot 27.3 percent from long range and 35.7 percent from the field, yet found themselves down just 29-26 at half.

In the third quarter Britt made its move, using an individual 7-0 run by center Xavier Nixon to go up 44-33 going into the final period.

Nixon and reserve forward Jamil Barney each recorded double-doubles in points and rebounds, with Nixon leading in both categories with 17 and 14.

The Bucs were able to out-rebound PC by 15 in the second half, thanks in part to the Catamounts shooting 31 percent from the floor and just 17 from 3-point range for the game.

"We didn't want to provide them second and third and fourth chance opportunities so we really stressed going to the ball and boxing out," Britt coach Isaiah Walker Jr. said.

"Xavier is a great athlete and just his presence combined with his agility and athleticism, he can cover a lot of ground."

Panther Creek was led by senior forward Marques Oliver, who led the team in nearly every category with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight blocks.

Britt had four players in double-figures, including Kevin Bobson, who shot a perfect 3-of-3 for 3-point range.

"We were a lot more comfortable, since a lot of us were here before," Nixon said. "We just had the composure of an experienced team to come in here and get the job done."

It was a bittersweet end for the first senior class in Panther Creek history.

While they finished the year 28-3 and advanced to the program's first-ever regional appearance, they closed out the season without two fellow senior starters.

"I want them to feel proud for what they've accomplished this year," Hepp said. "They may not have a sense for it right now, but for what they've done ... I'm proud of them."

Meanwhile, Britt will be trying to take things one step farther than last year, where they lost to Apex in the East Regional final.

"This was the goal last year and we didn't finish it last year so we've just been working harder so we could come back," guard Brandon Nichols said.