KEENE, N.H. 12/8/01- The Keene State College women's basketball team dropped a 75-59 Little East Conference game to the University of Southern ME Saturday at Spaulding Gym.

It was the first LEC loss of the season for KSC (4-3, 1-1 LEC) while Southern ME (7-1, 2-0 LEC) won its fourth straight and remains undefeated in conference play.

Megan Cressler (Appleton, Me.) and Amanda Leavitt (Pittsfield, Me.) tied for scoring honors for the Huskies with 20 points each. Jamie Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) also finished with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Aly Araque (Hopewell Junction, NY) had 15 points and Meghan Csizmesia (Arlington, Vt.) and Erika Forsberg (Laconia, N.H.) contributed 12 points each for the Owls.

Leading 39-33 at half-time, USM took a nine point lead (57-48) on a basket by Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Me) at the 10:30 mark. The Owls got the lead down to four points (61-57) on a pair of free throws by Nicole Fargione (Colonie, N.Y.) with 7:07 to play, but they would not threaten the rest of the way. Leavitt hit eight free throws in the final minute of play to seal the win for the Huskies.

Keene State has not defeated Southern ME since joining the LEC in the 1997-98 season, a span that includes nine games.

Keene State will wrap up its first semester of play next Saturday when it travels to R.I. College for a LEC game against the Anchorwomen.