'MONTCLAIR, N.J. 12/30/05 - The Keene State College men's basketball team lost for just the second time in 10 games this season, a 83-57 setback to Bridgewater State College in the championship game of the Steve Adubato One-on-One classic held at Montclair State University on Friday afternoon.

The Owls, who fall to 8-2, defeated Plattsburgh State (101-100) in overtime in first round action Thursday, before running out of gas against Bridgewater State in the title game.  BSC (5-4) edged host Montclair State (68-67) to reach the championship.

Trailing 36-29 at the half, KSC closed the gap within three (49-46) on a short jumper by Kevin Ritter (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) with 13:42 remaining.  The Owls would get no closer as the Bears responded with a 15-4 run over the next six minutes to take control.

 "We were a little short-handed and the fatigue factor set in, especially with our shooting, but we gave a good effort, "said KSC coach Rob Colbert. 

The Owls lost the battle of the boards, 54-41, and shot just 35 percent from the floor in the game. 

Keene State was without the services of two of its starters in the game, and a third who went down midway through the first half.  Ben Maynard (Nobleboro, Me.) is still out with a finger injury, Sean Sullivan (Athol, Mass.) did not make the trip after breaking team rules, and Matt Hickey (Mahopac, N.Y.), injured his ankle at the 11:42 mark of the first half.  "When Matt (Hickey) went down, it was an emotional loss," said Colbert.

KSC tied the game at 10 on a basket by David Sontag (Mont Vernon, N.H.) with 13:42 left in the first half, but the Owls could not take the lead as Derek Thompson (Hyannis, Mass.) scored on a put back and Adam Rose (Harwich, Mass.) hit two free throws to put the Bears in front for good at 14-10.  

Sontag, who was named to the All-Tournament team, was the only double-figure scorer for KSC with 13 points.  Nick Drouin (Weare, N.H.) had eight points and seven rebounds, while Nate Anderson (Westminster, Mass.) added eight points and six rebounds. 

Thompson, the tournament's most valuable player, posted a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds to lead Bridgewater.  Tyler Lang (Franklin, Mass.), a Division I transfer, finished with 12 points and a game-high 20 rebounds, while Cliff Furtado (Dartmouth, Mass.), added 14 points off the bench for the Bears.

"We came here to continue to learn what it's going to take to compete for a league title," said Colbert.  "In particular, what it means to play two days in a row."

"Now, we'll get a little break, evaluate, and put ourselves in a position to compete for a Little East Conference title," he added. 

Keene State will be back in action on Thursday, January 5 when it travels to Springfield College (7:30 p.m.)