DANBURY, CONN. 2/14/04 - Freshman guard Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.) scored a game and season-high 24 points to lead the Keene State College women's basketball team to a come-from-behind Little East Conference road victory at the Feldman Arena on Saturday.

Winners of two straight, the Owls (10-12, 5-7 LEC), are attempting to secure a possible first-round home game in the upcoming LEC tournament.  KSC swept both games against the Colonials this season, winning 86-61 back on Jan. 13 in Keene. Western Conn., which was coming off Tuesday's upset win Eastern Conn. over nationally ranked Eastern Conn., drops to 8-15 and 4-8 in conference play.

Barns, who has averaged 22 points in KSC's last two games since coming back after missing four games with a bruised knee, scored 15 of her points in the second half.  "My teammates did a great job setting screens for me," said Barnes.

Keene State, which trailed 35-29 at the break, held WCSU to just 25% shooting (6-for-24) from the floor in the second half.  Meanwhile, the Owls were able to make their shots.  KSC took the lead for good on a jumper by Barnes, which made it 42-41 at the 13:54 mark. Barnes, who was later fouled on a three-point attempt, hit all three of her shots from the line to extend KSC's advantage to 11 points (58-47) with 6:51 to play.
 
Senior forward Andrea Arsenault (Dover, N.H.) also scored in double-figures with 10 points while freshman forward Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) finished with a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with six points.

 "We don't control our own destiny, but anytime we come off the court playing like we did today, I can be happy," added Boucher.

Western Conn., which was playing without top freshman Mallory Stevens, was led by their other blue-chip recruit Jennifer Fioarrotta who scored 23 points.

Keene State, which has won their last six games against WCSU, travels to Eastern Conn. on Tuesday for a 5:30 LEC contest.