KEENE, N.H.  11/21/08 - Host Keene State College and Daniel Webster College rolled to first-round victories in the 9th Annual Noyes Volkswagen KSC Men's Basketball tournament on Friday night at Spaulding Gym.

Keene State (1-2), which won its first game of the season, rolled to an 83-61 win over Maine-Machias in the opener. Daniel Webster (3-0) moved onto the championship game with a 114-32 win over Hampshire College.  

The Owls, looking for their ninth straight Invitational title, will face the Eagles in Saturday's Championship game on Saturday (7 p.m.). 

Senior forward Tyler Kathan (Ludlow, Vt.) had 16 points and freshman forward Matt Petruzzelli (Gardiner, N.Y.), who hit six of his eight shots from the field, finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the Owls' victory.

The Owls scored the first nine points of the game on the way to pulling away from the Clippers. Kathan's fourth three-pointer of the half put KSC up 30-13.  The Owls, who shot 58% from the field, took a commanding 44-22 halftime lead and never looked back.

"We needed a win to get our season going," said junior guard Bryan O'Leary (Gilford, N.H.) who had 10 points, including three baskets from behind the arc. "The freshmen are coming along really well and were starting to gel on the court. A game like this can get the confidence level up for the entire team."

All 15 players on the KSC roster saw action.

Freshman guard Gerardo Vasquez (Houston Tx.) led the Clippers (3-3) with 16 points.

Daniel Webster (3-0) led from start to finish in its 114-32 win.

Back-to-back three-point baskets by sophomore guard Chris Hanson (Salem, Mass.) put the Eagles up 19-4.  Daniel Webster opened up a 60-20 halftime lead. 

Senior guard Brian Inge (Fort Washington, Md.) scored a game high 21 points and freshman guard William Kemp Harris (Suitland, Md.) finished with 19 points leading a balance Eagle offense in the runaway win.  Sophomore guard Steve savage (Salem, N.H.) with 14 points, junior forward Adam Landry (Vernon, Conn.) with 13 points, and Hanson, who had 12 points, all finished in double figured for DWC. The eagles out-rebounded the Black Sheep 52-28, shot 57% from the field (46-for-81) and knocked down 14 three-pointers in the game.

Senior forward Scott Atherley had 17 points to lead Hampshire College (3-3).

Maine-Machias will play Hampshire College in Saturday's consolation game at 5 p.m.