'KEENE, N.H. 11/26/02  –  Freshman Christina Page (Sutton, MA.) led a balanced attack with 19 points to lead the Keene State College women's basketball to a home season opening 88-50 victory over MA. College of Liberal Arts at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday.

Keene State improves to 2-1 while MCLA falls to 1-2.

Four KSC players scored in double figures.  In addition to Page, Mary Crawford (Mt. Holly Vt.) had 13 points including four three-pointers, Stacey Morse (Lebanon, N.H.) added 12 points and Andrea Arsenault (Dover, N.H.) finished with 10 points.  Stephanie Hooper (Mansfield, MA.) topped KSC with 10 rebound while Shannon Clarke had eight assists.

Keene State led from the opening tap.  Back-to-back three-pointers by Crawford and Page gave the Owls a 19-4 lead at the 13:20 mark of the half.  KSC led 56-17 at halftime on the way to the win.

"I thought we moved the ball around very well and got a lot of people involved in the offense," said KSC Coach Keith Boucher.  The Owls were missing several players including Julie Tardif, Cathy Mechare, and Liz Donnelly.

MCLA, which came back to outscore KSC 33-32 in the second half, was led by Catherine Saad (Brockton, MA.) with 12 points and Amanda Hayden (North Adams, MA.) with 10 points and 10 rebounds.  Jessica Vitale (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) had nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Trailblazers.

Keene State hosts its 7th Annual Holiday Tournament this weekend. They face ME-Fort Kent in a first round game on Saturday (1 p.m.). MA. College plays Monday at home against Southern Vermont.

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