BOSTON, MA. 1/19/02- Chris Timson hit a tying three-pointer with 20 seconds to play, and scored 11 points in overtime as Keene State survived a scare from UMA-Boston with a 104-98 Little East Conference men's basketball victory over the Beacons in Boston on Saturday.

The Owls trailed 84-79 after Bill Gomes hit a three-pointer with just over a minute to play. Derek Swenson hit a drive to get KSC within three (84-81) with 44 seconds to go.

Bennett Pawlusiak stole the ball in UMB's next possession and Timson hit the tying trey with 20 seconds to play. Matt Wheeler and Timson both had a chance to win the game for KSC in regulation, but their tip-in attempts failed.

Timson, who finished with 18 points, took over in the overtime. The sophomore from Beverly, MA., was fouled after making lay-ups in consecutive trips down the floor to give the Owls a 97-88 lead with 2:33 to play in the extra period.

Joe Guertin got UMB to within four points (100-96) with 56 seconds to play, but Pawlusiak and Dave Stantial connected on a pair of free throws each in the closing seconds to hold off the Beacons.

Ranked first in the New England region, Keene State improves to 13-1 and remains undefeated 7-0 in the Little East. The victory extends the Owls winning streak to 10 games, one shy of the school record set by the 1979-80 team.. UMA-Boston drops to 5-12, 1-6 LEC.

Taking ill on the way down to Boston, KSC Head Coach Rob Colbert returned to Keene. Associate Head coach Brian Pickering took over for Colbert on the bench.

"I think he was going to fire me if we didn't pull it out," said Pickering with a laugh following the game. "I thought UMA-Boston did a nice job frustrating both Timson and Stantial in the game. But when push came to shove, they came up big for us," he said. "We didn't play well, but we played hard and we were lucky to win."

The Owls led by five (44-39) at the half, but couldn't shake the young and athletic Beacon team.

Stantial kept the Owls in the game in the early going, hitting several key three-pointers. "We weren't getting out usual points in transition, and Dave bailed us out numerous times when we had breakdowns," said Pickering. "Without him, we don't get to overtime."

Stantial had 23 points and nine bounds and Swenson finished with 20 points for KSC. Dave Cudwoth (12 points), Pawlusiak (11 points) and freshman Harley Davis (10 points and seven rebounds also finished in double figures.

Lester Robinson had a game high 24 points and 12 rebounds and Billy Allen finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds for UMB.

Keene State now gets ready for a trip to Plymouth State on Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. game against the rival Panthers.