SCRANTON, PA. 1/3/10 - The 295 mile trip back to snowy Keene from Scranton, Pa. will be a little bit more enjoyable for the Owl men's basketball team after they captured the championship of the PNC Bank Invitational with a come-from behind 90-84 victory over Hunter (N.Y.) College at the University of Scranton's Long Center on Sunday.

            The Owls (7-5) extend their season high winning streak to four games with the win.  Hunter College goes to 6-6.

            Keene State, who led by as many as 12 points in the first half, found itself trailing 48-42 at the break.

            Down 53-44 early in the second half, the Owls finally caught the Hawks, taking a 54-53 lead on a jumper by Nicco DeMasco (Swanzey, N.H.) at the 15 minute mark.

            The two teams traded free throws down the stretch.  DeMasco, who was named to the All-Tournament team, connected on a put-back and hit one of two free throws in the next possession to give KSC an 86-81 lead with 2:03 to play.

            In a game that featured 13 ties and 10 lead changes, the Owls finally established some breathing room down the stretch on an emphatic backdoor dunk by sophomore forward Cody Snow (Leyden, Mass.) off of a feed from swingman Anthony Mariano (Naugatuck, Conn.) with 1:11 remaining to give Keene State a four-point lead, 88-84.  Snow then canned one of two free throws after the Hawks misfired on a 3-point field goal attempt and Mariano hit one of two free throws with six seconds left to set the final score.

            KSC Coach Rob Colbert felt his team's comeback was fueled by stronger defensive play. "I thought we picked up our defense in the second half and did a better job containing them," said KSC Coach Rob Colbert.  "They were also a little fatigued and we were able to convert some big baskets. We pounded the ball inside and they had no answers."

            Named the tournament's MVP, sophomore forward Derek D'Amours (Agawam, Mass.) had a game high 32 points to lead Keene State.  "We did a good job running our offense and I got some good looks at the basket," said D'Amours, who was five for eight from behind the arc and seven of eight at the line.

            Playing in just his second game for the Owls, DeMasco had his first double-double, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds.  "I didn't expect to get so much playing time," DeMasco said.  "I'm just trying to do my part, grab some rebounds and give the team some help under the boards.  The guys have been great and very accepting."

            "Nicco is acclimating real well," said Colbert.  We've simplified some things for him, so he can come in, spell some of our big guys, and make a contribution."

            Mariano also had a strong game with 14 points and six rebounds. 

            Junior guard Rocco Rubino had 27 points for Hunter.

            Both teams paraded to the final line in the second half with a total of 49 fouls whistled by the officials.  KSC was 22 of 39 (56%) while the Hawks connected on 25-29 shots (86%) from the charity stripe. 

            "I thought we showed some maturity this weekend," said Colbert.  "We're hopefully taking the first steps in learning how to win." 

            After playing their last seven games on the road, the Owls will finally return to Spaulding Gym on Saturday for an LEC game against Rhode Island College.  "It will be nice to wear the white uniforms again," said Colbert.