KEENE, N.H. 2/1/05 - Sean Sullivan (Athol, Mass.) had a game-high 24 points and David Sontag (Mont Vernon, N.H.) finished with 21 points to lead the Keene State College men's basketball team to a key 90-78 non-conference victory over Tufts University at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday night.

Winners of four straight for the first time this season, the Owls (11-7) defeated a Tufts team (11-8) that had posted earlier wins over NESCAC powers Williams and Wesleyan. It was the second straight loss for the Jumbos.

The Owls also got a big contribution from Harley Davis (Newburyport, Mass.) who had 13 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks.

Sullivan and Sontag had 16 and 13 first half points respectively to lead Keene State to a 47-36 lead at the break. The Owls used a late 15-6 run fueled by Sullivan's seven points to pull away from the Jumbos.

The Owls didn't let the Jumbos get any closer than nine points twice in the second half. Jason Grauer (New York, N.Y.) hit a three-pointer to make it 63-54 at the 11:29 mark.

A driving lay-up and free throw by Davis later in the half pushed KSC's lead back up to 12 points (70-58) with nine minutes to play.

"It's definitely a statement win for us," said KSC Coach Rob Colbert.

"We knew it was going to take awhile, but I think things are coming together for us," added Sullivan.

Jake Weitzen (New York, N.Y.) and Drew Kaklamanos (Jupiter, Fl.) had 17 points each to lead Tufts.

Keene State returns to LEC action on Thursday when it travels to Eastern Conn. (7 p.m.).