KEENE, N.H. 1/24/2004 - The Keene State College men's basketball team extended its winning streak to eight games and remained undefeated in the Little East Conference with a thrilling 80-77 overtime victory against UMass-Dartmouth on Saturday.

Playing before a crowd of 1,300 fans on Athletic Alumni Recognition Day at Spaulding Gym, Keene State improves to 14-2 overall and 7-0 in conference play. UMass-Dartmouth drops to 8-9 (2-5 LEC).

Alphonse Michalski (Northampton, Mass.), who finished with 19 points, including nine in overtime, provided the winning margin with three free throws in the closing seconds of play.  Matt Wheeler (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) also finished the game with a career-best 23 points.

Joseph Britto (Fairhaven, Mass.) led all scorers with 36 points to go with 11 rebounds for the Corsairs.

Sean Sullivan's (Athol, Mass.) lay-up gave KSC 68-66 lead with 35 seconds to go in regulation play.  UMD's Devon Maiorano's (Rehoboth, Mass.) basket with 14 seconds to play sent the game into overtime.

Wheeler's jumper in the lane pushed KSC's lead to seven points (76-69) at the 2:23 mark of overtime.  Michalski hit two free throws giving the Owls a 79-74 lead with 15 seconds to go. Maiorano's three-pointer cut the deficit to two points (79-77) with six seconds to play.  Michalski hit one of two free throws to make it 80-77 with five seconds on the clock.  A three-point attempt by Maiorano came up short as time expired and KSC had its overtime victory.

Chris Timson (Beverly, Mass.) scored 15 points and Sullivan finished with 14 points for the Owls.  Chris Lapriore (Grafton, Mass.) had 15 points and Paul Pawlowski (Taunton, Mass.) added nine points and 11 rebounds for UMD.

Keene State hosts Eastern Conn. on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.