PHOENIX 12/30/09 - The Keene State College women's basketball team let one slip away on Wednesday, falling to Wisconsin-Oshkosh 57-54 in overtime in the championship game of the Grand Canyon Classic in Phoenix .

            The Owls (6-3), who draw a split in their two game trip, led 50-46 following a pair of free throws by senior Kristin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) with 20 seconds to go in regulation.

            The Titans closed the gap to two points (50-48) on a lay-up by junior Laura Ebbens with 14 seconds to play.

            Degou was fouled on the inbounds play, but missed both of her shots from the line.

            It would prove costly as freshman Megan Wenig hit a lay-up with four seconds to play to send the game into overtime.

            KSC Coach Keith Boucher said it was a lack of communication on his part that allowed Oshkosh back into the game.  "I guess I wasn't clear on what I expected defensively," he said.  "You can't give up two baskets in the closing seconds of a game."

            Trailing 55-52 with 40 seconds to go in the extra session, KSC sophomore Meghan Farrell (Chester, Vt.) cut the deficit to one point (55-54) on a baseline jumper.

            However, Wenig connected on a pair of free throws to put the Titans up 57-54 with 16 seconds to go.

            Keene State had a couple of chances to tie the game in the closing seconds.  Degou raced down the court and put up a three-pointer that was off the mark. The Owls got the ball back when it went off a Titan player, but Degou's desperation shot with time running out was partially blocked. 

            The Owls struggled at the line (8-13), behind the arc (4-18) and gave the Titans too many chances, surrendering 13 offensive rebounds.  "We did some nice things on offense, but couldn't make the key defensive stop when we needed and it cost us," Boucher said. 

            Degou led the Owls with a game high 21 points and 12 rebounds.  Senior Nicole Simmler (Oxford, Mass.) chipped in with 19 points and seven rebounds.

            Wisconsin Oshkosh (5-7) placed three players in double figures.  Freshman Katie Kitzke and Wenig each scored 11 points while Ebbens finished with 10 points.

            Asked what he learned from the trip?  Boucher said "We are still a few steps a way from where we need to be.  We still haven't put together a full 40 minute game yet."

            Spending a few more days in Phoenix, Keene State begins its second semester with a non-conference game at Westfield State on Jan. 7.