KEENE, N.H. 1/10/2004 - The Keene State College men's basketball team used a balanced offense to secure a 79-63 Little East Conference victory over the University of Southern Maine in Keene on Saturday.

Senior forward Mathew Wheeler's (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) double-double of 12 points and 12 assists led the Owls (9-2, 2-0 LEC) who won their third straight and remain undefeated in conference play.  Alphonse Michalski (Northampton, Mass.) finished with 11 points and five assists while Bennett Pawlusiak (Manchester, N.H.) and Harley Davis Newyburyport, Mass.) scored 10 points each.

A three-pointer by Michalski enabled the Owls to take a 31-24 lead in the locker room.

KSC wasted little time adding to its lead in the second half.  A 14-6 run that included back-to-back baskets by Wheeler gave the Owls a 45-30 cushion six minutes into the second half. 

The Owls, which had a 51-33 advantage on the boards, also visited the line 11 more times (24-for-35) than the Huskies (13-for-19).  Pawlusiak hit all eight of his attempts.

Mike Francoeur (Somersworth, N.H.) had 17 points and Jason Levecque, a former Owl player, was held to 14 points for USM (5-8, 0-3 LEC), which saw its three game winning streak come to an end.

KSC has defeated the Huskies in their last eight meetings.

Keene State host defending LEC champs Western Conn., in a key LEC game on Tuesday night (7:30 p.m.).