KEENE, N.H. 1/18/05 - Nick Pelotte (Bingham, Me.) had a game high 28 points to lead Plymouth State University to a 81-71 Little East Conference men's basketball victory over rival Keene State College at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday night.

Keene State, which has dropped three straight LEC games, falls to 7-7 (2-4 LEC). Conference leading PSU (11-4, 5-1) bounced back after suffering it first LEC loss last Saturday against Western Conn.

Kevin Boutilier (No. Andover, Mass.) had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Andreas Pope (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had a fine overall game with 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Panthers.

Erk Schlacter (Marlborough, Mass.) had 14 points and Sean Sullivan (Athol, Mass.) and Matt Hickey (Mahopac, N.Y.) each finished with 12 points to lead the Owls. Plymouth State outscored KSC 8-3 over the final two minutes to take a 39-34 lead in a first half that featured eight lead changes. Pelotte had 15 first half points for the Panthers.

KSC was held scoreless over the first four minutes of the second half as PSU extended its lead to 11 points (45-34). A basket and a free throw by Andreas Pope pushed the Panthers advantage up to 18 points (64-46) at the 11:44 mark. The Owls never threatened PSU's lead the rest of the way.

Keene State will be at UMass-Dartmouth on Saturday while the Panthers are on the road at R.I. College.