PHOENIX, AZ. 12/29/03 - Keene State College women's basketball coach Keith Boucher reported that his team had a relatively smooth trip to Phoenix for the Grand Canyon Classic.  Unfortunately for the Owls, there was nothing smooth about their first game at the Classic hosted by Grand Canyon University - a 102-65 loss to Wisconsin-Stout on Monday afternoon in Phoenix.

"We're still licking our wounds," said Boucher, whose team gave up the most points ever by a KSC women's basketball squad.  The previous mark of 98 points came against Central Conn. in the 1985-86 season.  "They were physically bigger and athletically better." 

To their credit, the Owls stayed with the Blue Devils for the first 11 minutes of the game, trailing by six 27-21.  "But you blink you're eye, and they suddenly take over, Boucher said.  "We missed some good shots, but I think we were also intimidated."

Wisconsin-Stout (7-3) built up a 55-37 half-time cushion on the way to its decisive victory.

On the positive side, sophomore forward Stacey Morse (Lebanon, N.H.) finished the game with a career-best 21 points.  Morse, who hit nine-of her 10 free throw attempts, also tied Brianne Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.) with a team-high six rebounds.  Freshman Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) scored 12 points and Barnes added 11 points.  "Stacey had a solid game," Boucher said.  "She kept on attacking the basket against larger opponents."

A perennial top-25 national power noted for its run-and-gun style of play, the Blue Devils were led by guard Sara Kahl with 22 points and eight rebounds.  Erin Churchill added 12 points and 11 rebounds.  All but one player of the Wisconsin-Stout 17 player roster scored at least one point.  The Blue Devils had a 66-42 advantage on the boards, including 33 offensive rebounds.

"It can only help when you play a team of this," Boucher reasoned.  "It brings you down to earth.  I don't think we'll play another team of the same caliber the rest of the season.

Hopefully we'll learn from the experience.  When you play in a tournament like this, you have a chance to measure yourself against national competition."

The Owls (4-3) will look to regroup when they face Gordon College on Wrentham, Mass., in its second Classic game on Wednesday.  Little East member Southern Maine is also playing in the Tournament.