'KEENE, N.H. 2/7/06 - The Keene State College women's basketball
team moved into sole possession of second place in the Little East
Conference with a 75-67 overtime victory over Eastern Connecticut
State University at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday night.
The Owls outscored the Warriors 10-2 in the extra period with
Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) hitting four key free throws.
"Coach (Keith) Boucher told us we had to tighten up our defense
in the overtime," said Begnoche. "I thought we did a better job of
getting out on their guards. It was a big game for us."
"Going into the overtime, I told the team we had a second
chance," Boucher added. "They shot the lights out from the
three-point line (9-16), but in the overtime we executed both
offensively and defensively."
Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.) had a game-high 23 points,
including four three-pointers, to lead the Owls. Begnoche,
who hit eight of 10 shots from the field, finished with 19
points and 10 rebounds.
Kelli Mahder (Wethersfield, Conn.) had 17 points, including five
three-points for ECSU. Katie Kline (North Brookfield, Mass.)
added 12 points and 17 rebounds.
Sandy Mosley's (Goshen, Conn.) three-pointer with 1:27 to go in
regulation tied the score at 65-all. After both teams turned the
ball over, Nicky Morey's missed a potential game winning hoop as
time expired sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, a pair of free throws by Sarah Begnoche gave KSC a
71-67 lead with 2:21 to go. After an ECSU turnover, Begnoche
was fouled going after a rebound and she hit one of two shots to
make it 72-67. Michele Boudreau (Readsboro, Vt.) stole the
ball on the Warriors next possession and added another free throw
to extend the lead to 73-67 with 32 seconds left on the clock.
Following another steal, Barnes added a pair of free throws to
account for the final score.
Keene State had a slim 37-34 halftime lead.
It was the sixth straight win for Keene State (14-8, 8-3 LEC)
while Eastern Conn, falls to 17-5 (7-4 LEC). KSC has never
finished higher than third in the LEC. KSC hosts
Western Conn. on Saturday (1 p.m.).
ECSU defeated the Owls 67-65 earlier this season in Willimantic.
