Box Score 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.