KEENE, N.H. 2/21/2004 - One of five seniors honored at Senior Day at Spaulding Gym, forward Matt Wheeler (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) had a game-high 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Keene State College men's basketball team to a 76-66 Little East Conference victory over Rhode Island College on Saturday.

Keene State, which already clinched first place in the LEC standings and the top seed in the upcoming tournament, concludes its regular season with a 20-5 and 13-1 LEC mark. The Owls will host eighth seed UMass-Boston in a first round game on Tuesday night (7 p.m.).  It is the fifth time and third consecutive 20-win or better season for the Owls since joining the Little East in the 1997 season.  

Rhode Island College, which falls to 11-14 (7-7 LEC), finished fifth in the LEC and will travel to either Eastern Conn. or Western Conn. for an opening round game on Tuesday night.  Their destination will be determined by a coin flip.

Trailing 33-29 at the break, the Owls opened up the second half with a 13-0 run to take a 42-33 lead on a free throw by Wheeler at the 15:28 mark.  KSC held its lead the rest of the way.  The Anchormen made it interesting when they cut the deficit to just four points (44-40) on a pair of free throws by Kamari Williams (Springfield, Mass.) with 11:41 to go.  KSC, however, built its lead back up to double-figures (53-43) and held on for the win.

Chris Timson (Beverly, Mass.) had 16 points and nine rebounds, and Alphonse Michalski (Northampton, Mass. )finished with 10 points and seven assists to lead KSC. Seniors Brandon Johanson (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), Bennett Pawlusiak (Bedford, N.H.) along with Wheeler, Timson and Michalski were honored prior to the game.

Williams finished with 21 points to lead the Anchormen.  Kamran Alemdar had 11 points and Kevin Payette (Woonsocket, R.I.) finished with 10 points.

KSC, which has won the last eight games between the two teams, defeated RIC 78-67 earlier this season in Providence.