NORTH DARTMOUTH, MASS. 1/16/10 - The Keene State College women's basketball team gave Coach Keith Boucher his 300th career victory with a 54-49 Little East Conference win over UMass-Dartmouth at the Tripp Athletic Center on Saturday.

            "The game was far from a masterpiece, but we'll take it," said Boucher.  "As far as reaching 300 wins, I have to give credit to all the players and coaches I've been associated with over the years.  It's not about the victories it's all about the people"

            Senior Kristin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) scored a game-high 18 points for the Owls, who improve to 10-4 and 3-2 in the LEC.  Sophomore Courtney Cirillo (Windsor Locks, Conn.) continue her strong play of late, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds.  Senior Nicole Simmler (Oxford, Mass.) added a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with nine points, five assists, and a couple of steals.

            Stephanie Houtman scored 13 points and Shannon Singletary had 11 points for the Corsairs (5-10, 0-5 LEC).

            No team led by more than five points until the closing minutes of the game that featured 48 turnovers, including 31 by KSC.

            Keene State took command of the game with a mini 9-4 run with just over six minutes to play.  Cirillo had a conventional three-point play and Degou hit a couple of free throws during the surge that put the Owls up 53-45 with 2:01 to go.

            "Courtney had another good game," said Boucher. "She continues to be a catalyst for us."

            Cirillo and Simmler each had some key offensive rebounds late in the game, giving KSC several second chances.  The Owls had 18 offensive rebounds and a wide 50-29 overall margin on the glass.

            Since joining the LEC, Keene State leads the series 23-3.  The Owls have won the last 11 meetings between the two teams.

            The Owls play at Eastern Conn. on Tuesday.