'GORHAM, ME 2/28/03-  Senior forward Kara Crockett (Glenburn, ME) collected a defensive rebound, was fouled, and drained a pair of free throws with nine seconds remaining to ice the University of

Southern ME's 53-48 triumph over the Keene State College Owls in the semifinal round of the Little East Conference Playoffs.

Triumphant in 11 consecutive contests, the Huskies advance to tomorrow's title tilt (3:00 pm) where they will face the third-seeded Plymouth State College Panthers (20-7), who scored an 87-85 upset over Eastern Connecticut in overtime of the first semifinal game.

Southern ME improves to 24-3, while Keene State College falls to 16-11.

Southern ME had an opportunity to extend a 49-48 lead with 40 seconds remaining, but freshman Tiffany Jones (Skowhegan, ME) missed the first of a one-and-one foul shot. However, the Huskies

retained possession when Crockett hauled in the rebound.

The possession concluded with freshman Katie Frost (Calais, ME) sinking a pair of free throws with 26 seconds left to give the Huskies a 51-48 lead.

Keene State worked the ball inside, but senior guard Julie Tardif's (Atkinson, N.H.) short jumper hit the iron and bounced out and into the hands of Crockett with nine seconds to play.

Southern ME held a 49-44 advantage with 4:16 remaining, but a pair of baskets from senior forward Hayley Alaimo (Ellington, CT) pulled the Owls within 49-48 with 2:39 to play. With her second basket Alaimo eclipsed the 1,000-career point plateau.

The game was close from start to finish with neither team leading by more than six points. The Huskies twice held a six-point lead in the second half, with the final time occurring at 45-39 with

5:38 to play.

Keene State led throughout much of the early minutes, before Southern ME took the lead for good at 12-11 on a layup by Nikki Allen (Blue Hill, ME) 9:40 remaining in opening half. The Owls rallied to tie the affair twice, but could never regain the lead. The

final tie came at 26-26 on a basket by freshman guard Bekka Hopkins (Oxford, MA.) with 17:59 to play in the game.

Senior forward Jess Libby (Orono, ME) answered with a short jumper to ignite a 4-0 lead, and the Huskies never trailed the remainder of the contest.

Jones led all players with 20 points, while Crockett added 6 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, and junior guard Meg Cressler (Appleton, ME) contributed 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Keene State was led by Alaimo, who tallied 15 points, while freshman Liz Donnelly (Littleton, N.H.) added 12 points.

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