KEENE, N.H. 12/1/07 - Seven players scored in double-figures in Keene State's 106-83 Little East Conference men's basketball victory over the University of Southern Maine at Spaulding Gum on Saturday. It was the LEC opener for both teams.

The Owls, ranked 19th in the D3Hoops poll, stay undefeated with a 5-0 (1-0 LEC) record.  Southern Maine falls to 2-3 (0-1 LEC).

"I thought we did some really good things.  We spread the scoring around and did a nice job on the defensive end," said KSC Coach Rob Colbert.  "It's nice to be off and running in the LEC."

Senior point guard Matt Hickey (Mahopac, N.Y.) buried five three-pointers on the way to finishing with 17 points.  Junior forward Tyler Kathan (Ludlow, Vt.) had 16 points and a game high eight rebounds.  Senior forward Nick Drouin (Weare, N.H.) and senior guard Kevin Ritter (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) added 13 points each, senior guard Anthony Licitra (Glastonbury, Conn.) and senior forward Travon Little (Danbury, Conn.) had 12 points a piece, and senior guard Shiwon Davis (Bridgeport, Conn.) finished with 11 points to round out the list of double-figure scorers for KSC. 

Senior forward Drew Coppenrath (Barnet, Vt.) had a game high 28 points for the Huskies who were playing without top guard Josh Daniels (Everett, Wa.). Sophomore forward Greg Whittaker (Presque Isle, Me.) had 18 points, and senior forward Ian Hebert (New Gloucester, Me.) finished with 12 points and six rebounds.

The Owls opened up a 62-37 halftime lead and coasted to its first LEC win of the season.

KSC used a barrage of thee-pointers and transition baskets to pull ahead of the Huskies 12 minutes into the first half. Leading 25-17, the Owls used a 12-4 run capped off by Kathan's lay-up to go up 16 (37-21) with 8:37 to go. A dunk by Little extended the Owls' lead to 20 points (49-29) with 5:12 left in the half.   Drouin and Licitra had 10 first half points for KSC.
 

Coppenrath led USM with 11 first half points, who trailed despite shooting 57% (16-28) from the field. KSC however had a decided advantage at the line hitting 14 of 18 compared the Huskies (3 for 4).

KSC finished the game hitting 12 of 25 three-pointers (48%) and knocking down 20 of 24 shots (83%) from the line.   

Both teams are back in action on Tuesday, Keene State hosts Tufts and USM plays Colby College (7:30 p.m.).