KEENE, N.H. 11/20/10 – The Owl women's basketball team made it a lucky 13, capturing its 13th consecutive tip-off title with a 75-66 victory over Utica College in the championship game of the KSC Adrenaline Circuit tournament at Spaulding Gym on Saturday.  

"The kids dug in and played defense. I was very pleased," said KSC Coach Keith Boucher.  "We're young, we're going to make mistakes, but they worked their tails off today."

Junior Courtney Cirillo (Windsor Locks, Conn.), named the tournament's most outstanding player, led the Owls (2-1) with a career high 26 points to go with 10 rebounds.

Returning to the court following a collision in the first half, junior Sara Laudano (North haven, Conn.) scored 18 points while sophomore Siobhan Carnell (Quincy,, Mass.)finished with 15 points. Both were named to the All-Tournament team.  

Senior Devon Croll (Vernon, N.Y.) had 16 points and senior Jessica Berry (Rome, N.Y.), who was picked to the All-Tournament team, chipped in with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Falling behind early 11-4, the Owls rallied to pull ahead 36-22 at halftime.  Cirillo, who had 13 first half points, hit a couple of lay-ups right before the break.

Back-to-back traditional three-point plays by juniors Laudano and Meghan Farrell (Chester, N.H.) put KSC up 52-36 with 12:37 to play. The Owls kept the pressure on the Pioneers.  A top of the key three-pointer by Laudano made it 59-44 with 7:45 to go. Later, Farrell found a driving Cirillo, who gave the Owls a 15 point lead (65-50) with 5:50 to play.

"This is the first time we really came together as a team," said Laudano.  "We moved the ball around and made good shots. We were patient and waited for some good shots."

"Today we minimized the mistakes; everyone was active and came out with the win.  Our potential is unknown. We have such a young team. Who knows where we'll be at the end of the year."

The Owls shot 47% from the field (29-61), hit four of their seven three-point attempts, and were 13-15 from the line. KSC outrebounded UC 38-28. 

Freshman Alyssa Leonard (Amherst, Mass.) scored 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead Castleton State to a 67-45 win over Maine-Fort Kent in the tournament's consolation game.  Junior Vanessa Powers (Marshfield, Vt.) added 14 points and senior Megan Johnson (Rutland, Vt.) finished with 12 points for the Spartans (1-1), who pick up their first win of the season.

Castleton State, which led from the opening tap, led 31-24 at the half.  They began the second half with a 16-4 run to open up a 16 point (44-28) lead on a lay-up by Leonard at the 14:56 mark.

Junior Maliesha Caesar (Cayon, St.Kits) had 14 points and a game high 15 rebounds and junior Quintina Young (Portland, Me.) scored 14 points to lead Maine-Fort Kent (0-2).  

All Tournament Team
Maliesha Caesar - Maine Fort Kent
Alyssa Leonard - Castleton State
Jessica Berry - Utica College
Meghan Fiore - Utica College
Sara Laudano - Keene State
Siobhan Carnell - Keene State

MVP
Courtney Cirillo - Keene State