'AMHERST, MASS. 11/30/05 - Senior forward Stacey Morse (Lebanon, N.H.) led a balanced Owl offense with 14 points, including several free throws down the stretch, to lead the Keene State College women's basketball team to a 58-51 non-conference road victory over Amherst College on Wednesday night.

Keene State (3-0), which posted its first-ever victory over Amherst College in six meetings, remains undefeated while Amherst drops to 1-3.

Leading 32-30 at the half, the Owls extended their advantage to 12 points (45-33) on a pair of free throws by Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.) at the 12:18 mark. 

The Lord Jeffs came back to cut the deficit to two points (49-47) on a basket by Shaina Pollack with 3:31 to go.

Baskets by Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) and Morse pushed the lead up to five 54-49.  Morse then sealed the win by stealing the ball and hitting a pair of free throws

with 1:50 to play.

"I thought we executed very well offensively, " said KSC Coach Keith Boucher. "In past years if we lost a big lead we'd fold our tent, but tonight we showed some maturity and were able to weather the storm."

Begnoche had 13 points and Barnes finished with 10 points to round out the double figure scorers for KSC.  KSC won despite being out-rebounded 36-24. 

Julie Smith led the Lord Jeffs with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Keene State will host Rhode Island College in its first Little East game of the season on Saturday (1 p.m.).