KEENE, N.H. 1/16/2007 - The Keene State College dropped its second straight LEC game with a 61-53 loss to Eastern Conn. State University at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday night.

Keene State falls to 10-5 (4-2 LEC). ECSU (10-5, 4-2 LEC) has won six straight.

Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) had her eighth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.) added 16 points to lead the Owls.

Sandy Mosley (Goshen, Conn.) had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Nicky Morey (Columbia, Conn.) added 13 points and Ashley McFetridge (Canton, Conn.) finished with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to lead the Warriors.  

Eastern Connecticut took a 31-23 halftime lead behind 6-2 forward McFetridge who finished the first half with 12 points and 10 rebounds.  Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) topped the Owls with nine points in the first half.

The Owls whittled down the lead in the second half, eventually knotting the score 43-all on a lay-up by Jenn Kenney (Salem, N.H.) at the 10:13 mark.

After ECSU surged ahead, Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.) hit one of her three-three-pointers in the second half to cut the Owls' deficit to 56-53 with 3:10 to play.

Giving the Owls few second chance opportunities, the Warriors took control in the finals minutes of play.  A key three-pointer by Kelli Mahder (Wethersfield, Conn.) put Eastern Conn. up by six (59-53) with 2:10 to play.

The Owls didn't score the rest of the way. 

KSC hosts R.I. College on Saturday (1 p.m.).