KEENE, N.H. 1/9/2007 - Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.) and Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) hooked up for the game winning basket with 29 second to play to lift the Keene State College women's basketball team to a come-from-behind 60-57 Little East Conference win over Western Connecticut State University at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday night.
Begnoche, who finished with a game high 23 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocks, took a long inbounds pass from Barnes and banked in a lay-up for the winning hoop.
"Bri just knows where I am on the court, we have that connection," said Begnoche. "She saw me in the corner of her eye and let it go."
"Sarah knew I was going to pass it to her," said Barnes, who scored 16 of her 20 points in the second half. "I was glad to see her put it a way."
Katie Moffo (Southington, Conn.) missed a three-pointer in the Colonials next possession and Kristin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) was fouled on the rebound. She hit one of her free throws attempts as the Owls hanged on for the win.
"The last five minutes the intensity was great," said KSC Coach Keith Boucher. "I thought the fans helped us out. They started to make some noise and gave us a big lift."
The Owls, who shot 22% from the field (8-36), found themselves down by 11 points (30-19) in the first half following a basket by Stacey Roberts (Windham, Conn.). KSC scored the last six points of the half. Begnoche put back her own miss at the buzzer to make it a 30-25 game at the break.
Consecutive inside baskets by Begnoche put the Owls 57-53 with 3:20 to play. Ally Greenwood (East Hartford, Conn.) and Jessica Richardson (New Milford, Conn.) hit hoops to tie the score with 1:59 to play. The game remained tied until Begnoche sealed the win with her shot in the closing minute.
Barnes had six assists to go with her 20 points.
Malory Stevens (Seymour, Conn.) topped the Colonials (8-5, 2-2 LEC) with 15 points. Moffo finished with 12 points and Greenwood dished out 10 assists.
WCSU won both games against the Owls last season.
Keene State, who improve to 9-3 and remain undefeated in LEC play (4-0), will host Westfield State in a non-conference game on Thursday (5:30 p.m.).
