WILLIMANTIC, Conn. 2/17/2004 - The Keene State College men's basketball team clinched first place in the Little East regular-season standings and the top-seed in the upcoming conference tournament with a 76-65 LEC victory over Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn., on Tuesday night. 

It is the third LEC regular-season title for the Owls 19-5, (12-1 LEC), who also won the championship in 1999 (tied) and 2002. The Owls went undefeated on the road in the conference this season. Fighting for the final home seed in the tournament, the Warriors fall to 13-11 (7-6).

"It's a nice first step to have the tournament at home, but it's not our destination," said KSC Coach Rob Colbert about bringing the tourney to Keene.  

Sophomore forward Sean Sullivan (Athol, Mass.) scored 18 of his season and career-high 23 points in the second half to lead the Owls.  Alphonse Michalski (Northampton, Mass.) scored 11 of his 17 points in the second half.  Chris Timson (Beverly, Mass.) also scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half to go with a team-high nine rebounds.

Gordon Sheppard led four Warriors in double-figures with 21 points.

Trailing by three (33-30) at the break, the Owls took charge in the second half.  KSC scored the first 10 points of the half to take a 40-33 lead on a three-pointer by Michalski.   A runner by Chris Timson (Beverly, Mass.) extended the Owls' lead to 13 points (54-41) with 9:15 to play.    A basket by Michalski gave KSC its biggest lead of 19 points (67-48) later in the half.

"I thought Coach (Brian) Pickering made some adjustments going into the second half that got us going," Colbert added.  "We made some defensive changes, got some transition baskets and were able to pull away."

Keene State returns home for senior day on Saturday (3 p.m.) when it hosts Rhode Island College.