KEENE, N.H. 2/20/2007 - Senior forward Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.) had 27 points and pulled down a career high 17 rebounds to lead second seed Keene State to a 72-56 win over rival and seventh seed Plymouth State University in a quarterfinal game of the Little East Conference women's basketball tournament at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday night.

Keene State (20-5) advances to the semifinals where they will play the winner of the #3 UMass-Boston and #6 Western Conn. It's the first 20 win season since 1989-90 for the Owls who also tied a school mark for consecutive wins (10) set in 1982-83.

"I wanted to make-up for Saturday when I got into foul trouble," said Begnoche.  I was able to get down the floor and get some easy baskets tonight. It was a big part of our game."    

The Owls used a 15-6 run midway in the first half to go up 30-12.  Begnoche scored six of her 10 first half points during in the stretch.  Barnes also had 10 first half points for the Owls.   KSC, which shot 57% from field (16 for 28), took a 39-25 lead to the locker room.

The Panthers cut the Owls' lead to 11 points (59-48) with 5:38 to play.  But Barnes buried a three-pointer from the corner on KSC's next possession.  PSU never threatened Keene State's lead the rest of the way. KSC finished the game with a 46-26 advantage off the boards.  

Senior guard Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.)  was the only other Owl in double figures with 16 points.

Despite the victory, KSC Coach Keith Boucher was not pleased with the play of his team.  "I thought we were sloppy," he said.  Fortunately, we were home playing the seventh seeded team.  From now on they're all going to be dogfights."

Karly Gray (Southampton, Mass.) had 10 points for the Panthers who conclude their season with a 6-19 record.

KSC and PSU have hooked up four times in LEC quarterfinal play with the Owls prevailing the last three meetings.