KEENE, N.H. 1/13/2004 - Alphonse Michalski (Northampton, Mass.) scored a career-high 30 points, including several key free throws in the closing seconds of play to lead the Keene State College men's basketball team to a thrilling 82-78 Little East Conference victory over Western Connecticut State University at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday night.
It was the fourth straight win for Keene State (10-2, 3-0 LEC), which remains undefeated in conference play. Western Conn. (7-5, 3-1 LEC) suffered its first LEC loss of the season.
Leading by six 35-29 at the half, Keene State extended its advantage to as many as 12 points (54-42) on a lay-up by LEC player of the week Matt Wheeler (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) at the 12:17 mark.
The Colonials, behind the three-point shooting of Greg Cole (Queens, N.Y), came back to tie the game 74-all on a basket by Marvin Evans (Stratford, Conn.) with 1:40 to play.
Wheeler, who finished with nine points and 12 rebounds, put KSC on top by four (80-76) with a pair of free throws. Kimani Crawford (West Hartford, Conn.) hit a shot in the lane to cut the deficit to two 80-78. But after being fouled by Crawford, Michalski hit both his free throws to push the margin back up to four points (82-78) with 20 seconds to play.
WCSU had several chances to pull ahead in the closing seconds. Jay Reginatto (Torrington, Conn.) missed a jumper. The Colonials got the ball back when Wheeler turned the ball over on a steal by Crawford. After Cole missed a three-pointer, Reginatto got the offensive rebound. Crawford three-point attempt was just off target and Wheeler grabbed the rebound as time expired on the clock.
Michalski, who hit all nine of his free throw attempts, also had seven assists. Chris Timson (Beverly, Mass.) scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half for the Owls.
Cole finished with 22 points and Evans had 20 points and 12 rebounds for WCSU.
The Colonials had won the past four meetings between the two teams.
Keene State will travel to UMass-Dartmouth for a make-up LEC game (7 p.m.) on Thursday.
