'KEENE, N.H. 1/28/06 - The Keene State College women's basketball team extended its winning streak to four games with a 73-54 Little East Conference victory over UMass-Dartmouth at Spaulding Gym on Saturday.

Keene State improves to 12-8 (7-3 LEC) while UMD falls to 9-11, (2-7 LEC).

The Owls had five double-figure scorers in the game.  Bekka Hopkins (Oxford, Mass.) led a balanced offense with 12 points. Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.), Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.), Michele Boudreau (Readsboro, Vt.), and Emily Flewelling (Pittsford, Vt.) finished with 10 points each. Begnoche and Caitlin Jamiel (Cranston, R.I.) tied for high rebound honors with six each.   

After a slow start, KSC finished the first half with a 14-4 run to take a 34-21 lead at the break.  Hopkins had seven first-half points for the Owls while Joanna Piascik (New Britain, Conn.) topped UMD with six points. KSC took advantage of 20 first-half turnovers by the Corsairs.

KSC opened up the half with an 11-3 run to extend its lead to 21 points (45-24) lead on a steal and lay-up by Barnes. 

Lindsay Marsh (Bristol, Conn.) topped the Corsairs with 11 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Keene State swept both games against the Corsairs this season, also winning 66-54 earlier this season in North Dartmouth. 

The Owls have the week off to prepare of next Saturday's LEC game at UMass-Boston. UMD is at Plymouth State next Saturday.