KEENE, N.H.  1/10/09 -   The Keene State men's basketball team dropped its first Little East Conference game of the season, an 85-73 setback to #20 ranked UMass-Dartmouth at Spaulding Gym on Saturday.

The Owls, who have lost four straight games, fall to 6-6 (2-1 LEC).  UMass-Dartmouth, winners of seven consecutive games, goes to 11-1 (3-0 LEC). 

Forcing several turnovers with a press that helped lead to 16 first half Owl turnovers, the Corsairs jumped out to a 20-9 lead on a lay-up by senior guard Reece Freeman (Cambridge, Mass.) at the 13:18 mark.  UMD maintained its lead and took a 37-28 advantage to the locker room.

Sophomore forward Brandon Stephens (Dorchester, Mass.) had 11 first half points for the Corsairs while senior forward Tyler Kathan (Ludlow, Vt.) topped the Owls with eight points and 13 rebounds.

The Owls got the lead down to one point (44-43) on a free throw by freshman guard Quinton McMillian (Springfield, Mass.). The Corsairs pushed the lead up to 19 points (63-44) with a 19-1 run capped off by a reverse lay-up and free throw by freshman guard Alex Klepadlo (Bernardston, Mass.) with 9:17 to play.

KSC made one last run at the Corsairs in the final five minutes.  A baseline three-pointer by Kathan made it an eight point game (72-64) with 4:10 to play. They would get no closer as UMD held on for the LEC win.

Kathan finished with a 20 points and a career high 19 rebounds for the Owls.  His 20 points gives him 1,512 for his career.  He becomes just the fifth KSC men's player to reach the 1,500-point career milestone.

Freshman forward Derek D'Amours (Agawam, Mass.) added a season high 21 points.

Junior forward Brandon Shelton (Cambridge, Mass.) led four UMD players in double figures with 20 points.  Stephens had 19 points and nine rebounds, junior guard Jeff Macchi (Franklin, Mass.) added 12 points and 11 rebounds and junior forward Jeff Walker contributed 10 points.

Both teams play LEC games on Tuesday.  The Owls host Western Conn. and the Corsairs are on the road at Eastern Conn.