KEENE, N.H. 11/18/11 – The Keene State men's basketball team must like their new floor at Spaulding Gym. The Owls flew up and down the court, building up a 46-22 halftime lead on the way to an 87-51 victory over the University of New England in the first of two games at the KSC men's basketball classic on Friday night.

"I don't know if it was the floor or just playing at home, but we played with a lot of energy," said KSC Coach Rob Colbert.  "I thought we guarded really well and got up and down the floor."  

Seeing his first action of the season, senior Derek D'Amours (Feeding Hills, Mass.) scored 16 of his game high 18 points in the first half to catapult KSC to the win.

"It's nice getting a win on the new floor," said D'Amours.  "We came out really aggressive with our press and got some easy baskets.  That's how we're going to win games this season." 

Using a classic format with predetermined opponents, Keene State (2-0) will take on St. Lawrence University in the second day of play on Saturday (7 p.m.)  Colby-Sawyer College will face the University of New England (0-2) in Saturday's first game at 5 p.m.

After taking a few minutes getting accustomed to their new home digs, the Owls took off, unleashing a high-intensity attack that featured an assortment of breakaway lay-ups and a barrage of three-pointers.

Back-to back lay-ups by junior Rashad Wright (Agawam, Mass.) the second coming on a nice feed from senior Derek D'Amours (Feeding Hills, Mass.) put the Owls up 14-3.  Senior Ollie Hunter (Bedford, N.H.) then took over, picking off a pass and going in for a slam.  In the Owls' next possession Hunter deposited a D'Amours' pass into a lay-up to make it 20-3. 

After a breakaway lay-up by junior Anthony Mariano (Naugatuck, Conn.), D'Amours started his three-point assault,reeling off 13 straight points for the Owls to get the lead up over 20 (38-16).  He would knock down four in the half from all different areas on the floor, finishing with 16 first half points. 

D'Amours took over for a period of 3:21 as the first half progressed, reeling off 13 straight points for the Owls to get the lead up over 20 (38-16). Keene State shot 50 percent from the floor and hit six treys in the opening frame to hold a 46-22 edge at the break.

A crowd-pleasing no look pass by Mariano that found junior Eric Fazio (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.)  down low for an uncontested lay-up and a basket by freshman Tom Doyle (Wallingford, Conn.) off a steal in the closing seconds of the half completed the first half explosion that saw the Owls take a 46-22 lead at the break.   

KSC shot 50% from the floor (18-36), hit six of 13 three-point shots (%) and was a perfect four-for –four from the line.

Keene State didn't let up in the second half, extending its lead to 63-36 on a press-breaking lay-up by junior Geoff Woodberry (Hyde Park, Mass.)  The Owls also played a strong defensive game.  Mariano tracked down Nor'easter senior Jarryd Rossignol (Caribou, Me.), slapping the ball away before he was able to get a lay-up.

Later in the half, junior Ryan Martin (Wayne, Me.) and Fazio connected with an alley-oop basket the put the Owls up 63-38 with 9:48 to play.  

Wright and Fazio each finished with 10 points.  Wright pulled down a game high nine rebounds.  The Owls had a wide 50-25 advantage on the boards.  In 16 minutes of play Hunter did a little bit of everything with four points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Freshman Timmy Mains (Auburn, Maine) led UNE with 16 points.  Fellow freshman Jordan Ferreira (Nantucket, Mass.) added six points and nine rebounds.