WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. 1/2/08 - The Keene State men's basketball team began the New Year with a tough 86-66 loss to 5th-ranked Williams College at Chandler Gym in Williamstown, Mass on Wednesday night.

           
The Owls, who have dropped four out of their last five games, falls to 6-4.  Off to their best start since the 03-04 season, the Ephs (10-0) remain undefeated.

           
Junior forward Tyler Kathan (Ludlow, Vt.) led the Owls with 22 points.  Senior guard Anthony Licitra (Glastonbury, Conn.) scored 12 points and senior forward Travon Little finished with 10 points.  Senior forward Nick Drouin (Weare, N.H.) had a team high nine rebounds.

           
All five starters scored in double figures for Williams.  Senior forward Chris Rose (Middletown, N.Y.) topped the Ephs with 17 points followed by Chris Shalvoy (Rochester, N.Y.), Blake Schultz (Atherton, Ca.), and Joe Geohegan (Cape Elizabeth, Me) with 14 points each.  Geohegan also pulled down 13 rebounds.

           
The Ephs jumped out to an early 11-1 lead 2:30 into the game.  While KSC shot 34% from the field, Williams hit 45% of their shots to take a 42-30 halftime lead.

           
The Owls tried to battle their way back in the game in the second half.  A free throw by Drouin cut deficit to seven points (63-56) with 5:58 to play.

           
However, consecutive baskets by Geoghegan pushed the Eph's lead back up to 13 points (69-56) with 4:10 to go.

           
Both teams made frequent trips to the foul line. Williams hit 27 of 36 shots (75%) while the Owls were 22 of 27 from the line (82%). The Ephs had a 43-35 advantage on the glass.

           
It was Keene State's first trip back to Chandler Gym since reaching the elite-eight in the 2003-04 season.

           
Keene State returns home on Tuesday, Jan. 8 (7:30 p.m.) with a non-conference game against SUNY-New Paltz.