KEENE, N.H. 2/19/08- Senior Guard Sara Paradis (Bristol, Conn.) scored 14 of her game-high 17 points in the first half, and Eastern Conn. State University held off a second half rally by Keene State, to post a 69-58 Little East Conference women's basketball victory at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday night.

Despite the loss, the Owls (14-10, 6-7 LEC) didn't loose any ground to R.I. College in a battle for the fourth spot and the chance to host a first-round game of the LEC tournament. The Anchorwomen (12-11, 5-8 LEC) lost at home to Western Conn. 59-45.

Eastern 20-4, which won its fourth straight, maintains its third place position in the LEC standings. It's the Warriors sixth 20-win season in the past eight years. The Warriors, who led by as many as 12 points (38-26) on a baseline three-pointer by Paradis, took a 40-31 lead into the locker room.

The Owls didn't help themselves with 16 first half turnovers and sending Eastern to the line where it hit 11-of-12 attempts.

KSC fought back to tie the game at 45-all on a pair of free throws by junior forward Jenn Kinney (Salem, Mass.) at the 12:37 mark.

The Owls went cold and the Warriors ran off 10 straight points to take a 55-45 lead on a lay-up by senior center Bridget Durette (Seymour, Conn.) with 8:37 to play. KSC made one last run at the Warriors, cutting the deficit to six on a three-pointer from the top of the key by junior guard Michele Boudreau (Readsboro, Vt.) with 3:02 to play, but it would get no closer.

Sophomore guard Kristin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) scored 12 points and sophomore forward Nicole Simmler (Oxford, Mass.) finished with 11 points. Sophomore forward Jenn Cleaveland (Newington, Conn.) pulled down a game high seven rebounds for the Owls who out-rebounded the Warriors with a 39-27 margin.

Junior center Ashley McFetridge (Canton, Conn.) had 15 points and junior guard Nicky Morey (Columbia, Conn.) finished with 10 points for Eastern.

Prior to the game, Keene State honored its two seniors Danielle Graveley (Schenectady, N.Y.) and Emily Flewelling (Pittsford, Vt.).

Both teams wrap up their regular season LEC schedule on Tuesday with Keene State traveling to UMass-Boston and Eastern Conn. returns home to face Rhode Island College.