KEENE, N.H. 1/28/12 – The Keene State College women's basketball team extended its winning streak to season-high five games with a 75-33 Little East Conference win over UMass-Boston at Spaulding Gym on Saturday.

The Owls (13-5, 7-2 LEC) remain tied for second place in the LEC standings with Southern Maine, which defeated Western Conn. 69-56. 

Senior point guard Nikki Cote (Ashford, Conn.) tied her career high with 13 points to lead the Owls. 

Sophomore Shelby Buck (Greenfield, OH.) had nine points to lead UMass-Boston, which falls to 5-14 and 2-7 in conference play.

The first half featured multiple runs by the Owls. After UMB freshman Kristen Morrison (North Reading, Mass.) scored the first basket of the game, Keene State reeled off the next 10 points with senior Courtney Cirillo (Windsor Locks, Conn.) finishing off the uprising with a conventional three-point play.

Buck made it a 20-15 game when she connected on her third three-pointer of the half.  KSC responded by scoring the final 15 point of the half to take a 35-15 lead at the break. Cote, who had 11 first half points, scored the final eight points of the run, knocking down a couple three-pointers, including one that bounced high off the rim and straight down through the basket. "I just felt it today.  Every time I shot, I knew most likely I was going to make it, said Cote. "I've worked hard and I'm finally getting my time to shine, so I want to make the most of it."

"Nikki got us going," said KSC Coach Keith Boucher. "We were flat, and she stuck some big perimeter shots that got out momentum going. Her enthusiasm and passion for the game are unparallel."  

Senior Sara Laudano (North Haven, Conn.), who finished with 12 points, got the hot hand in the second half,  netting consecutive three-pointers, first from the right and then from the left corner to extend the Owls' lead to 48-18 at the 13 minute mark.       

"Confidence feeds off of teammates.  Nikki was hitting three-pointers, and my shots starting falling," said Laudano.  "Once you hit the first one you can get on a roll." 

The second of two baby hooks in the lane by sophomore Brianna McCain (Hampton, N.H.) made it a 71-23 game with 5:35 to go. 

Sophomore Carly Kiernan (Topsfield, Mass.) and Cirillo also finished in double figures with 10 points each.  Senior Meghan Farrell (Chester, Vt.) had a team high six rebounds.

Morrison pulled down a game high nine rebounds for the Beacons, who were limited to 18 second half points.

Keene State shot 43% from the field (30-70), hit eight of its 21 three-point attempts (38%) and was 7-9 (78%) from the line.

UMB was 12-48 (25%) from the field and struggled behind the arc (4-22, 18%).

The Owls out-rebounded the Beacons 44-35.

Both teams have the week off before resuming LEC play next Saturday. Keene State hosts Southern Maine and UMass-Boston welcomes Rhode Island College to the Clark Athletic Center.