WORCESTER, MASS.  1/14/10 - Playing a rare weekday matinee, Keene State College edged Worcester State 64-59 in non-conference women's basketball action at Lancer Gymnasium on Thursday. 

The early tip-off was due to a "Math Madness" event being held at Worcester State.

The Lancers led by as many as nine points (22-13) in the first half. The Owls outscored WSC 15-6 over the last nine minutes to knot the score at 28-all at the break.

Keene State never trailed in the second half, taking an 11 point lead (59-48)at the 4:20 mark on a basket by sophomore Courtney Cirillo (Windsor Locks, Conn.), who came off the bench to score 15 points and pull down six rebounds.

The Lancers fought back with an 11-2 run, closing the gap to two point s (61-59) on a three-point basket by Kathleen Foley with 1:20 to play.

Cirillo hit a free throw to make it 62-59. The Lancers had one more opportunity to make it a one point contest, but they missed a lay-up in the closing seconds. Senior Nicole Simmler (Oxford, Mass.) hit a couple of shots from the line to enable KSC to hold on for the win.

Keene State Coach Keith Boucher wasn't pleased with his teams' performance.  We're still doing things at this point of the season we shouldn't be doing," he said.  "We're not very good at communicating.  If I could find a way to attach their cell phones to their shorts, we would be one great communicating team. They all pay attention to their cell phones, but don't pay attention on the floor to each other or their coaches." 

Simmler finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and three steals for Keene State (9-3). Senior Kristin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) added 15 points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Senior Jen Cleaveland (Newington, Conn.) chipped in with eight rebounds.

Foley finished with 16 points leading the Lancers (8-6).

Keene State returns to Little East action on Saturday when it travels to UMass-Dartmouth.