KEENE, N.H. 1/22/10 - Sophomore forward Derek D'Amours (Agawam, Mass.) scored a game high 26 points and freshman guard Ryan Boyle (Brattleboro, Vt.) poured in a season high 17 points, including five three-pointers, to lead the Keene State College men's basketball team to a 101-74 non-conference win over Lasell College at Spaulding Gym on Thursday night.

The Owls, who hit the century mark for the third time this season, improve to 9-8.  Lasell drops to 5-9.

The Owls fell behind by 10 points (24-10) following a three-pointer by Laser senior guard Charles Horton (Detroit, MI.).  D'Amours took over exploding for seven straight points to put the Owls up 33-27.  Later in the half, D'Amours made a steal and went down court for a lay-up to give KSC a 10 point lead (44-34).  D'Amours finished the half with 15 points as KSC took a 44-37 lead to the locker room.  Horton had 13 first half points for Lasell. Both teams shot well from the field.  The Lasers were 12-21 (57%) while the Owls shot 56% (19-34).

The Owls ran off 12 straight points to start the second half, capped off by a put-back basket by  sophomore swingman Anthony Mariano (Naugatuck, Conn.) to give KSC a 56-37 lead at the 17:25 mark.

Sophomore guard Steve Boudreau (North Andover, Mass.) found freshman forward Eric Fazio (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) down low for a basket and Boyle hit a pair of  long  range three-point bombs to give KSC a 78-52 lead with 9:43 to play.  Boyle hit four of his five three-pointers in the second half.  "I just happen to get into some open spots on the floor and the point guards were doing a good job finding me." said Boyle.  "We needed this win.  We dropped some tough conference games.  We needed a good statement win to get back on track."

"I thought Ryan had a special night," said KSC Coach Rob Colbert.  "I thought he played within himself and took what came to him.  "I was happy with the effort.  That's what it's going to take if we're going to be able to take the next step which is to secure ourselves a playoff spot."

Mariano finished with 13 points and Fazio added 10 points for Keene State, which shot a scorching 59% from the field (39-66) and buried 11 of 28 three-point attempts. D'Amours had a game high eight rebounds.

Freshman guard Aaron Bray (Boston, Mass.) led the Lasers with 16 points and six rebounds.  Horton finished with 13 points and sophomore forward Javon Williams (Mattapan, Mass.) added 12 points.

Keene State returns to Little East play on Saturday when it hosts UMass-Boston (3 p.m.). Lasell hosts River College on Saturday (2 p.m.).