'KEENE, N.H. 11/23/02– The Keene State College men's basketball team captured its opening-season tournament with a 82-46 victory over Curry College in the championship game played Saturday at Spaulding Gym.

Keene State improves to 2-0 while Curry College saw its record go to 1-1.

A member of the all-tournament team, Bennett Pawlusiak (Bedford, N.H.) led a balanced Owl attack with 12 points hitting all five of his shots from the floor.  Derek Swenson (Attleboro, MA.), the tournament's MVP had 11 points with four assists and five steals. 

The outcome of the game was never in doubt as KSC raced out to a 42-24 halftime lead.

Will Freeman (Windsor, CT) had a game-high 13 points and 10 rebounds and James Cooper added 10 points for the Colonels.  Kyle McNamar (Vernon, CT), a member of the all-tournament team, finished with 11 rebounds for Curry.

Keene State will be at Endicott College on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.).

Castleton (Vt.) State College evened its record at 1-1 with an 85-74 win over ME-Machias (0-2) in the tournament's consolation contest.

Joel Leichtnam (Rutland, Vt.) had 16 points and 14 rebounds and Dan Bevis (Athol, MA.) added 15 points (11-for 12 FT) to lead the Spartans. Selected to the all-tournament team, Jeff Weld (Brownsville, Vt.) also contributed 10 assists.

Castleton built up a 48-32 cushion at the break and held off the Clippers , who were led by Sharrief Sim's (Markham, Ont.) game-high 19 points.

             Keene State All Tournament Team

          Bennett PawlusiakKeene State

          Chris TimsonKeene State

          Kyle McNamarCurry College

         Jeff WeldCastleton State

         Phillip MounroME-Machias

           MVPDerek SwensonKeene State

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