BANGOR, MAINE 11/15/12 – Keene State Men's Basketball Coach Rob Colbert said he wanted to try something different to start the season.  Instead of playing in a tip-off tournament and getting a couple of feel-good wins, he opted for a tougher test for his team.

Although the idea didn't look so good in the first half when they fell behind by 15 points 35-20 with 7:14 to play, the Owls pased the test, flying back in the second half to post a satisfying  90-78 victory over Husson University in Bangor, Maine on Thursday night.  Both teams, Keene State (Little East) and Husson (North Atlantic), were ranked first in their respective conference preseason polls.

"This team doesn't need false confidence." said Colbert after the game. "It's important they find out who they are and face the fire right away."

Back playing in his homestate, senior Ryan Martin (Wayne, Maine) led the Owls with a game high 21 points, burying five of his six shots from behind the arc and connecting on all six of his free throw attempts.

Martin was one of four KSC starters to finish in double figures.  Senior Anthony Mariano (Naugatuck, Conn.) and Rashid Wright (Agawam, Mass.) each finished with 15 points while senior Eric Fazio (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) chipped in with 10 points to go with six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Coming off a disappointing junior season, Mariano had a fine overall game, finishing with a game high 10 rebounds to go with three assists, a steal and a block.  Wright also made his presence felt in the paint, pulling down eight rebounds and blocking three shots.

Keene State used a late first half spurt to get back in the game. They outscored Husson 8-2 over the final five minutes to get to within four points 39-35 at the half.

"We let them get loose and they were knocking down several uncontested threes at the start of the game," said Colbert. "Once we pulled off the press and were set up defensively, we were able to get back in the game."

The Owls finally caught the Eagles three minutes into the second half, taking the lead (53-50) on a three-point basket by Martin.  It was a lead they would never relinquish.  Fouled while hitting a lay-up, Mariano completed a three-point play to give the Owls a 75-63 with 6:05 to play.

Following a demonstrative dunk by Wright,  junior Jacob Moore (Hampden, Maine)  converted  a conventional three-point play and following a turnover senior Eric Modica (Kittery, Maine) hit a lay-up to cut Keene State's lead to four points (82-78) with 1:45 to go.

Returning to the game after picking up his fourth foul, Martin took matters into his own hands, scoring seven of the Owls final eight points on a three-pointer and four free throws to seal the win for Keene State.

"They got a little tired in the second half and momentum swung our way," said Colbert. "We were able to take advantage of the mismatch in the middle with Wright and Fazio. Mariano also had a huge game not only scoring but on the boards. He just went and got it."

"I thought we had a lot of balance tonight, a lot of people stepped up," said Colbert.

Moore led Husson with 15 points and nine rebounds.  Senior Marc Zaharchuk (Richmond, Maine) had 11 points and seven rebounds and Modica finished with 10 points. 

After Husson hit eight three-pointers in the first half, KSC limited them to just three in the second half.  Meanwhile, the Owls found the shooting touch in the second half, shooting 62% from the field (18-29), hitting 50% of their shots from behind the ARC (5-10) and connecting on 14 of its 17 attempts (82%) from the line.  KSC also had a 38-30 rebound advantage in the game.

"We have a long bus ride home, so we're going to enjoy this win for a little while and then get ready for another tough test on Saturday against WPI."

Both Keene State (23 votes) and WPI (six) received votes in the D3hoops.com preseason poll. Saturday's home-opener against WPI begins at 5:30 p.m.