'BABSON PARK, MA. – Four different players scored in double-figures for Babson College on Sunday as the top-seeded Beavers defeated third-seeded Keene State College, 81-71, in the championship game of the 2003 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Men's Basketball Tournament. It was the first ECAC title in team history for Babson (26-4), which also set a new school record for single-season victories.

The Beavers controlled the tempo during the first seven minutes of the contest, jumping out to a 21-11 lead behind nine early points from junior Jeff Hines (Waltham, MA.). Keene State (22-8) then came storming back with a 12-4 run to cut its deficit to two at 25-23, and eventually tied the contest at 29-29 with five minutes left in the half. Hines later put Babson ahead, 35-32, with 2:19 remaining, but the Owls scored the final three points of the stanza to even the contest, 35-35, at the break.

In the second half, Babson received four points apiece from senior Mark Lussier (Bellingham, MA.) and junior Luke Weber (Highland Mills, N.Y.) to build a 43-37 advantage before the two teams traded baskets for a two-minute stretch. The Owls pulled to within four at 47-43 on a lay-up by first-year Ben Maynard (Nobleboro, ME) with 13:51 left in the game, but the Beavers responded with key 13-4 run to build its largest lead of the game.

Senior Matt Webster (Shrewsbury, MA.) and sophomore Jeff Nicholson (Methuen, MA.) knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to begin the decisive run, and Webster then added a lay-up as Babson took a 55-43 lead. After buckets by Maynard and junior Chris Timson (Beverly, MA.) pulled Keene State back to within eight, Nicholson answered with five straight points, including two on a nifty up-and-under post move, to give the Beavers a 60-47 advantage with 8:45 remaining. Keene State trimmed its deficit to eight five times in the final eight minutes but was unable to get any closer as Babson held on for the 81-71 victory.

 Senior co-captain Chris Michalowski (Bristol, CT) was named the ECAC New England Tournament Most Valuable Player after pacing the Beavers with seven assists in the championship game. The senior guard, who received a standing ovation when he checked out with 16 seconds left to play, also dished out six helpers in Babson's semifinal win over Endicott and five assists in the Beaver's quarterfinal-round victory over MIT.

Along with Michalowski, Babson received an outstanding performance from Weber, who finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and a game-high five steals. Nicholson added 17 points and eight boards, while Hines chipped in with 14 points. Sophomore CJ Enere (Hyde Park, MA.) was once again solid off the bench for the Beavers, scoring 12 points while hitting a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line.

Junior Bennett Pawlusiak (Bedford, N.H.) led Keene State with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while junior Alphonse Michalski (Northampton, MA.) contributed 17 points and four assists. Timson finished with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor, and junior Matthew Wheeler (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) chipped in with 11 points.

KSC Coach Rob Colberts said the Owls ran out of steam in the second half.  'The tank was bone dry, ' he said. 'But give Babson credit, they're a very well coached team.'

'We can't hang our heads,' Colbert added. 'We had a great season.'