HARTFORD, Conn. 11/22/11 – Led by Courtney Cirillo's (Windsor Locks, Conn.) points, including a perfect 12-for-12 performance from the free throw line, the Keene State College women's basketball team improved to 4-0 on the season with a 74-69 road victory over NESCAC foe Trinity (CT) College on Tuesday night.

KSC did their damage from the line down the stretch. Senior guard Sara Laudano's (North Haven, Conn.) three-ball with 5:38 left was the last basket from the field for the Owls. "We knew that they were going to be an aggressive team," said Laudano. "We did a nice job of making that an advantage for us and got into the bonus very early."

Going eight-of-10 in the games last two minutes, including a perfect four-for-four from Cirillo, led KSC to the non-conference road win. "I think I speak for the team when I say there is no one else we would rather have at the line at the end of the game," said Laudano. "We all felt very confident in her and she sealed the deal for us."

As a team KSC finished shooting 92% from the line making 27 of their 30 attempts. "As a team our free throws have been a problem," said Laudano. "Coach has been making it a priority at practice so we are all happy we responded."

The Owls also utilized their size, outrebounding Trinity 38-22 on the game. Cirillo grabbed five rebounds to go with her 17 points. Freshman forward Courtney Roberts (Sutton, Mass.) led all players with seven boards, while senior Meghan Farrell (Chester, VT) had six rebounds to go along with a season-high 13 points in the victory.

Rounding out the double-digit scorers for Keene State, Laudano had 14 points, with her five-for-eight performance from the field.

Trinity had five players in double figures, led by senior guard Michelle Royals (Torrington, Conn.) and her 17 points.  Abigail Hancock (Casco, Maine), Carly Napier (Pittsford, N.Y.), Emily Dixon (Norwood, Mass.) and Heather Lyhne (Wethersfield, Conn.) each finished with 11 points.

Cirillo's layup with 12:07 left in the second stanza gave KSC a 50-37 lead, their largest advantage of the second half. The Bantams, would fight back, closing the gap to 70-67 with thirty seconds remaining. But that is as close as they would get, as Cirillo would make two more free throws, and run out the clock in the 74-69 win.

In the first half the Owls jumped out to 20-6 lead. Laudano's jumper at 11:34 gave KSC a 14-point advantage.

Trinity stormed back, going on a 16-2 run, capped by layup Royals at the 6:58 mark to even the score at 22-22.

The visitors would take a four point lead into the halftime break, as freshman forward Sarah Phelan (Northbridge, Mass.) would net a pair of shot from the charity stripe for the 35-31 score.

The Owls, who start the season 4-0, also started the season 4-0 in 2009 by defeating Trinity on the road 66-50 back on November 24th.

Keene State hits the hard-court again on Tuesday, November 29th, as they will travel to Amherst to face the defending NCAA National Champions at 7 p.m.