BOSTON, MASS. -- Keene State College got 13 points and seven rebounds from Tournament MVP Kristin Degou (Jr., Newburyport, Mass.) as the Owls defeated Emerson College 51-43 in the Championship Game of the Emerson College Tip-Off Tournament.

Keene sprinted to a 13-6 lead with just under five minutes played in the game.  Emerson countered with a 7-0 run to pull the Lions even on a three-point shot by Bri Papa (Sr., Camilus, N.Y.).  Eight straight points by all-tournament selection Alyssa Sapp (Jr., Hartford, Vt.) gave the Owls a 21-13 lead with 5:44 remaining in the first half.  Emerson cut the lead to 21-18 on a bucket by Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) and free throws by Andrade and Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.). Keene State answered by holding Emerson scoreless for the final 3:40 of the half to take a 29-18 lead at the break.

Neither team scored in the first 4:45 of the second half until Kosek hit a jumper to cut the lead to nine.  The teams traded baskets until a seven point Emerson run brought the lions to within a point at 40-39.  Two layups by Michele Boudreau (Sr., Readsboro, Vt.) and a Sapp free throw gave the Owls a six point-cushion, and although a layup by Emerson's Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.)  brought the Lions to within 45-41, that was as close as Emerson would come.

Andrade shared game scoring honors with Sapp and was the game's leading rebounder with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.  Zaniboni had nine points and nine boards. 

In the consolation game, Elmira College defeated Curry College 68-51.

Keene plays at Nichols College at 6:00pm on November 18.

The All-Tournament Team:
Erin Ruppell, Elmira College
Kathy Andrade, Emerson College
Lauren Zaniboni, Emerson College
Nicole Simmler, Keene State College
Alyssa Sapp, Keene State College
Tournament Most Valuable Player:
Kristin Degou, Keene State College