KEENE, N.H. 3/1/2007 - David Sontag (Mont Vernon, N.H.) scored a game-high 22 points, hitting seven of eight shots from the field and six of seven from behind the arc, to lead the Keene State College men's basketball team to an 81-47 victory over Rivier College in a first round game of the NCAA Division III tournament played at Spaulding Gymnasium on Thursday night.

Keene State (24-5) advances to the second round where they will face Salem State College in Salem, Mass. on Saturday (7:00 p.m.).

"I thought we played with a lot of energy from everyone who came in," said KSC Coach Rob Colbert.  "When David lights it up early, he inspires our team to play with a little fire.  Tonight was a special night for him."

"I was fortunate to be in the right spot at the right time and my teammates found me," said Sontag.  "It went through my mind this week...this was going to be the last time I was going to be wearing a Keene State jersey on this floor.  I wanted to go out and leave a legacy for my last game."

Rivier College, the champs of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), conclude their season with a 20-9 record.

"I thought we were a little star-struck when they made their run," said Raider Coach Dave Morissette.  "We weren't physical enough and were never able to get it back."

Keene State hit eight of 17 three-point attempts on the way to building up a 46-29 halftime lead.  Sontag, who buried four of his five shots behind the arc, scored 11 of KSC's first 16 points.

After a drive by Lance Bisson (Nashua, N.H.) pulled the Raiders within two (23-21), the Owls went on a 16-4 run to take a 39-25 lead on a layup by Nick Drouin (Weare, N.H.) with 5:29 to play in the half.

Sontag finished the half with 16 points.  Jeff Carpenter (Meredith, N.H.) had seven first half points for Rivier.

Early in the second half, Sontag, from the floor, found Tyler Kathan (Ludlow, Vt.) underneath.  He hit the layup to put KSC up 52-31.  Sontag, who finished with six three-pointers, hit one to put KSC up 56-33.  KSC finished the game with 12 three-pointers.

The Raiders never threatened the Owl lead the rest of the way.

Travon Little (Danbury, Conn.) finished with 15 points.  Five Owls finished with five rebounds.  Bisson led Rivier with 15 points.