KEENE, N.H. 2/12/05 - Sophomore guard Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H..) led a balanced Owl offense with 13 points, including several key free throws down the stretch, as Keene State College held off Western Conn. in a 59-51 Little East Conference women's basketball game played Saturday at Spaulding Gym.

Sophomore center Mallory Stevens (Seymour, Conn.) had an outstanding game for WCSU (11-12, 4-8 LEC) with a game-high 29 points and 14 reb ounds.

The Owls raced out to a quick 11-3 advantage on the way to building a 28-21 halftime lead. Stacey Morse (Lebanon, N.H.) had nine first half points for KSC while Stevens had 14 of the Colonials 21 points.

The Colonials erased KSC's lead and tied the game 33-all on a basket by Lucy Sprung (Willington, Vt.) at the 13 minute mark.

The game was decided in the final two minutes of play. A lay-up by Stacey Morse (Lebanon, N.H.) put KSC up 52-49 with 1:116 to play. Barnes then hit seven of eight free throws in the closing minutes to give KSC the victory.

Bekka Hopkins (Oxford, Mass.) scored 12 points, Morse finished with 11 points, and Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) added 10 points and 10 rebounds for KSC (13-10, 7-5 LEC) which snapped a three game losing streak.

KSC has won the last seven meetings between the two teams.

The Owls host Eastern Conn. on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.).