KEENE, N.H 11/19/04 - The Keene State College women's basketball team opened its 2004-05 season with a 101-46 victory over Lasell College in a first round game of the 9th Annual KSC Invitational held Friday at Spaulding Gym.

The Owls, who had five players in double figures, were led in scoring by Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) with 16 points. Stacey Morse (Lebanon, N.H.) and freshman Amber-Lynn Churco (Shaftsbury, Vt.). each finished with 14 points while Bekka Hopkins (Oxford, Mass.) had 13 points and Lauren Daniels (Concord, N.H.) added 11 points. Morse also had a team-high eight rebounds.

The outcome of the game was never in doubt as Keene State jumped out to a 20-8 lead six minutes into the game and held a 49-27 halftime advantage. Courtney Casserly (Stoughton, Mass.) had 11 points and Theresa Allen (South Boston, Mass.) finished with 10 points for Lasell (0-1). Keene State advances to Saturday's (3 p.m.) championship game where they will face Curry College. KSC has won the tournament seven out of the past eight years. In the second game, Curry College of Milton, Mass. defeated St. Joseph's of Brooklyn, N.Y. 84-55.

Curry used a 16-6 run midway in the first half to move ahead 43-25 on the way to building a 47-31 halftime lead.

Colleen Dunne (East Granby, Conn.) had a game-high 25 points to lead the Colonels (1-0). Brandy Howard (Weymouth, Mass.) finished with 19 points and nine rebounds and Jianine Esposito (Bridgeport, Conn.) chipped in with 11 assists. Michelle Softy (Queens, N.Y.) had 16 points to lead St. Joseph's (1-1). St. Joseph's will play Lasell College in the tournament consolation game on Saturday at 1 p.m.