KEENE, N.H. 12/31/2006 - Alyssa Burns (Dixfield, Me.) hit a key lay-up and a pair of free throws in the closing seconds of the second overtime to lift Maine Maritime Academy to 71-68 victory over Keene State College in the championship game of the KSC Holiday Tournament played Sunday at Spaulding Gym.

In the second overtime, Burns hit a pair of free throws to put MMA up 67-64 with 3:06 to play. Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) answered with a pair from the line to get KSC within one (67-66) with 2:54 to play. 

On their next possession, KSC went up 68-67 on a baseline jumper by Nicole Simmler  (Oxford, Mass.), who was playing the game with a bandaged hand due to a thumb injury.

Burns took over from there.  Her lay-up and two free throws made it 71-68 with 1:17 to play.  Kristen Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) and Simmler had chances to tie the score and send the game into a third overtime with three point attempts.  Degous's shot was off the mark and Simmler's shot was blocked. 

With the score tied at 61-all, Michele Boudreau had a chance to win the game in the frist overtime for the Owls, but her lay-up with five seconds to play rolled off the rim.   

The game was tied 55-all at the end of regulation play.  A put back shot by Julia Knights (Brookton, Me.) knotted the score with 45 seconds to go. 

Begnoche, who was named to the All-tournament team, led KSC (7-2) with 17 points and 15 rebounds.  Burns, the MVP of the Tournament led the Mariners (10-0) with 24 points and 11 rebounds.