'KEENE, N.H.  2/25/03  –  The third-seeded Keene State College men's basketball team survived an upset bid by edging sixth seed Eastern Connecticut State University 62-61 in a Little East Conference Tournament game played Tuesday at Spaulding Gym.

With the victory KSC (20-6) advances to the semifinals at Danbury, CT, where they will face second seed Plymouth State College in a 6 p.m. game.  PSC (20-6) defeated seventh seed R.I. College 90-75 to move on in the tournament. Eastern CT concludes its season with an 8-18 record.

The game was decided in the closing minute of play.  Michael Kipphut (Meriden, CT) gave the Warriors a one-point lead (61-60) with a pair of free throws at the 3:27 mark. The score reMEd until Brandon Johanson (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) gave the Owls the lead (62-61) when he put back his own miss with 1:01 left to play. It was KSC first lead since early in the game.

Johnason had a chance to add to the lead but missed two free throws with 33 second to go. 

The Warriors had a chance to win the game in the finals seconds, but Gordon Sheppard (Waterbury, CT) loss the ball on a drive to the basket. Matt Wheeler (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) got the lose ball and fired it down court as time expired.

KSC trailed throughout the game. The Warriors, who shot 61%  (14-23) in the first half, held a 36-30 lead at the break.  ECSU extended its lead to as many as nine points (54-45) with 9:18 to play before the Owls' comeback.

"The playoffs are about survival," said KSC Coach Rob Colbert.  "It's not about how many you win by, but just finding a way to win."

Chris Timson (Beverly, MA.) had 16 points and Wheeler finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Owls.  Johanson also added 12 points.

Steven Bartunek (Durham, CT) had 16 points and Jeroy Smith (New Haven, Conn) finished with 15 points and eight rebounds for ECSU.

Keene State had defeated ECSU twice during the regular season (70-67 in Willimantic and 87-56 in Keene).

                                        -30-