BRUNSWICK, Maine 3/2/2007 - Keene State made an impressive debut in the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament on Friday night with a come-from-behind 61-51 victory over Maine Maritime Academy at Bowdoin College.
Winners of 12 out of their last 13 games, the Owls (22-6) will play Bowdoin College in second-round action on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Brunswick. Bowdoin, the topped ranked team in the D3 Hoops poll, defeated Mount Holyoke 74-57 in its first-round game. The 22 wins is one win shy of the the program mark set during KSC's NCAA Division II run back in 1989-90.
NCAA newcomers, Keene State never let the tournament tested Mariners get into their game. MMA, making its third straight trip to the tournament, lost first-round games to Southern Maine the past two years.
Keene State was led by the senior tandem of Bri Barnes (Merrimack, N.H.) and Sarah Begnoche (Millville, Mass.). Barnes had a game-high 17 points and Begnoche finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
A three-pointer by Barnes gave KSC a six point lead (27-21) with 4:23 to play in the first half. The Mariners finished the half with a 12-2 run to take a 33-29 halftime lead. Rebecca Moore hit a couple of free throws with no time remaining to account for MMA's final two points.
The Mariners appeared to be in control at the midway point of the second half. A lay-up by Julia Knight put MMA up by seven (44-37) with 11:47 to play.
But the resilient Owls, who dropped a double-overtime game to Maine Maritime 71-68 in the championship game of the KSC Holiday tournament, were not ready to end their season.
Following a time out, KSC got its second wind. "I told them to be more physical and aggressive on the boards," said Boucher. "We were giving up too many second chances."
The Mariners had their wind taken out of their sails with seven minutes to go when they lost Knight. Knight, one of the Mariners' top players, went down after a rebound collision with Jenn Kinney and had to leave the game.
The Owls, who pestered the Mariners with a full-court press throughout the game, took the lead for good (48-47) on a jumper by Michele Boudreau (Readsboro, Vt.) at the 5:45 mark.
With MMA missing three-pointers at the other end of the court, the Owls worked to extend their lead. A couple of baskets by Begnoche and two free throws by Jenn Kinney (Salem, N.H.) pushed KSC's lead up to nine (56-47) with 2:41 to play.
KSC hit five free throws down the stretch, including four by Barnes, to keep the Mariners at bay.
Caitlin Jamiel (Cranston, R.I), the Owls third senior captain, also had a strong game with 10 points and three rebounds. Coach Boucher also got valuable minutes form several of his freshmen including Kristin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) who chipped in with eight points.
Ayssa Burns had 14 points and eight rebounds and Michelle Gott-Stillwell finished with eight points and 10 rebounds for the Mariners who conclude their season with a 25-4 record.
"This tournament is all about survival," said Boucher. "You want to move on to the next round and we accomplished that today."
