KEENE, N.H. 11/16/09 - Sophomore guard Sara Laudano (North Haven, Conn.) scored a career high 24 points to lead the Keene State women's basketball team to a season-opening 83-52 non-conference victory over Nichols College at Spaulding Gym on Monday night.

Noted for her three-point shooting, Laudano showed a little bit of diversity in her game, scoring several baskets going to the basket. "Teams know I'm going to shoot the three and come running out at me, so I have to shot fake and go to the hoop" said Laudano.  "One of my goals this season is to go to the hoop more."

"Kristin (Degou) got into foul trouble early and coach was looking for someone to step up," said Laudano.  "When he put me in it was my opportunity to help the team"

 The Owls (1-0) had three other players score in double-figures; Seniors Alyssa Sapp (Hartford, Conn.) and Jen Cleaveland (Newington, Conn.) each had 13 points while freshman Amber Alberto (Waterbury, Conn.), making her debut as KSC's point guard, finished with 12 points, eight assists, and two steals in 31 minutes of playing time.

" I was happy with the way things went," said Alberto.  "It makes it a lot easier having four senior on the floor with you.  I just try to fit in and find my flow on the team."

 "I can't say enough about Amber playing her first game at the point position," said KSC Coach Keith Boucher. "I think she did some really good things out there.  She's learning, but I'll take that for a first game."

Boucher said his teams' depth was a major factor in the win. "I think we're deep, we run the floor well and try to pressure teams defensively," he said.  "Our depth hurt them.  They weren't as deep as us."

Senior Krsitin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) shared top rebound honors with Cleaveland. Both players finished with seven. 

"When you're two top scorers (Degou and Nicole Simmler) put up goose eggs and you score 83 points.  That says a lot about the depth on your team," Boucher said.

Junior guard Ashley Robidoux (Milford, Mass.) had 14 points to lead the Bison (0-1), who struggled from behind the arc, hitting just three of 16 attempts.  Junior forward Jessica Nelson (North Providence, R.I.) led Nichols with seven rebounds.

The Owls used a late first half spurt to build up a 45-26 lead at the break.  Laudano knocked down the third of her three shots from behind the arc to put KSC up 35-24.

KSC finished the half with an 8-0 run.  Alberto drove baseline for basket and later found Cleaveland for a sneak-away hoop to end the half.  Laudano and Cleaveland each had 13 points in the first half.

Keene State broke the game open with back-to-back baskets eight minutes into half.  Sophomore forward Courtney Cirillo (Windsor Locks, Conn.) fed Alberto for hoop, and after grabbing a rebound, found Laudano all alone for a lay-up that put the Owls up 56-34 with 12:20 to play.

The Owls didn't let the Bison roam on the Spaulding Gym court all night.  Keene State forced 24 Nichols turnovers and had 15 steals. KSC connected on seven of its 18 three-pointers and was 18 of 20 from the line.

Keene State will host its tip-off tournament on Friday and Saturday.  Nichols will play at the Worcester City Tournament on Friday.