KEENE, N.H. 11/17/2006 - The Keene State College opened its season with a 72-57 victory over Lasell College in a first round game of the KSC/PC Connection Tip-Off Classic at Spaudling Gym on Friday. 

Keene State (1-0) will play the winner of the Western New England/Thomas (Me.) College in Saturday's championship (3 p.m.).

Sarah Begnoche (Milllville, Mass.) led the Owls with 15 points and 10 rebounds.  Freshman Kristin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) had nine points, and Jenn Kinney (Salem, N.H.) finished with six points and a career-high nine rebounds.

Courtney Casserly (Stoughton, Mass.) led Lasell with 11 points.

The Owls jumped out to a 14-2 lead on the way to building up a commanding 46-23 halftime advantage. Begnoche  had 11 first half points for the Owls.  Lauren Picozzi (Conventry, R.I.) led the Lasers with seven first half points.

Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.), who finished with 10 points, hit a three-pointer midway in the second half that pushed the Owls' lead up to 62-37.

The Owls out-rebounded the Lasers by a 52-29 margin.