KEENE, N.H. 12/1/04- The Keene State College women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season, a non-conference 48-33 setback to Amherst College at Spaulding Gym on Wednesday night.

Bekka Hopkins (Oxford, Mass.) had 14 points and Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) finished with 14 rebounds to lead the Owls (3-1). Jenny Muller (Andover, Mass.) and Matia Kostakis (Andover, Mass.) had 10 points each and Julie Smith (Villanova, Pa.) added 14 rebounds for the Jeffs (3-1).

The first half featured long runs by both teams. The Jeffs jumped out to an early 15-2 lead on a jumper by Kostakis at the 11:59 mark. Keene State answered with a 12-0 run, and eventually tied the score (17-17) on a three-pointer by Hopkins with 6:05 to play. Amherst scored the next 11 points to take a 28-17 halftime lead. The Owls hurt themselves shooting just 21 % (6-29) from the field and committing 19 turnovers.

Amherst opened up a 16 points (36-20) lead that KSC could not overcome. The Owls shot just 21% from the field (12-56), hit one of 10 free throws and made 31 turnovers in the game.

Keene State has lost all six meetings against Amherst College. The Owls host UMass-Dartmouth in their first Little East game on Saturday (1 p.m.).