SPRINGFIELD, MASS 11/29/11 – The Keene State College men's basketball dropped its first game of the season, falling to Springfield College 85-79 in non-conference action at Blake Arena on Tuesday night. 

Both teams came into the game unbeaten, the Owls drop to 4-1 while Springfield improves to 5-0.

Keene State fell behind early 20-4, and faced a 42-30 halftime deficit.  Falling behind by as many as 17 points  (55-38) in the second half, the Owls battled back, closing the gap to just two points 70-68 on a lay-up and free throw by senior Ollie Hunter (Bedford, N.H.) with 6:11 to play.   A jumper by junior Ryan Martin (Wayne, Maine) had the Owls down by only three points (77-74) with 2:34 to go, by KSC couldn't close the gap.

Senior Derek D'Amours (Agawam, Mass.), who had a tough night from the field, hitting just five of his 20 shots, led Keene State with 15 points.  Junior Nicco DeMasco (Richmond, N.H.) had a season high 12 points and a career best 14 rebounds.  Junior Eric Fazio (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) and Martin each finished with 11 points. 

 Jordan Rote's scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Pride.

The Owls shot just 39% (28-72) from the field and connected on five of their 21 attempts from behind the three-point line

Keene State returns home to face UMass-Dartmouth in its first Little East game of the season on Saturday (3 p.m.).