KEENE, N.H. 2/19/02 - Hayley Alaimo had 16 points and Erika Forsberg (Laconia, NH) added 15 points, including her 1,000th-career point, to lead the Keene State College women's basketball team to a 65-52 victory over UMA-Boston in a Little East Conference quarterfinal tournament game played in Keene on Tuesday.

Seeded fourth in the Tournament, Keene State (16-9) advances to the semifinal round where they will play host and top seed Southern ME (23-2). In the other semifinal match up, third seed Plymouth State defeated sixth seed Western CT (77-59). The Panthers move on to face second seed Eastern CT (24-1) on Friday.

The Keene State game featured several momentum shifts, before the Owls took command in the final minutes. Despite leading by 10 (21-11) with just over six minutes to play in the first half, the Owls found themselves facing a 28-25 half time deficit.

KSC built up an eight point lead early in the second half, only to see the Beacons come storming back behind Andreen Gilpin whose basket with 7:44 to play gave UMB its last lead at 45-41.

Cathy Mechare hit a lay-up and free throw to put KSC back on top 51-50 with 4:44 to go. Following a three-pointer by Alaimo, Aly Araque, who finished with 13 points, hit three consecutive baskets to extends the Owls lead to 10 points (60-50) with 1:54 to play.

"I thought our kids played very good defense in the second half," said KSC Coach Keith Boucher. "And when it got close, they hit some big shots."

Gilpin, who was held to four second half points, finished 17 points and 12 rebounds and Jamila Gales added 13 points and 14 rebounds to lead UMB, which completes its season with a 14-12 record.

At the 15:31 mark of the first half, Forsberg netted her 1,000th career point with an uncharacteristic three-point shot. "I was more concerned with winning the game than getting my1,000th point," said Forsberg, "But it's a nice accomplishment." The senior forward becomes the 13th Owl women's player to reach the milestone. "I guess you can say I'm lucky 13," she said.

With the victory, KSC moves onto the LEC semifinals for the first time since the 1998-99 season. Despite earning a home first round game the past two seasons, the Owls had been upset both times at Spaulding Gym.