KEENE, N.H. 11/17/12 – Junior Carly Kiernan (Topsfield, Mass.) scored 19 of her career high 23 points in the second half to lead the Keene State College women's basketball team to a 67-50 victory over Mount Holyoke College in the championship game of the 17th Annual KSC Tip-Off tournament played at Spaulding Gym on Saturday. Keene State (2-0) has won its tournament 16 out the past 17 years.   

            "I was pretty frustrated with myself in the first half," said Kiernan. "In the second half I just focused in on the little things and the offense just came with it."

            Kiernan, who was named the tournament's MVP, hit nine of her 12 shots from the field against the Lyons and was 16-for-23 (70%) from the field in the two-game tournament.

            Freshman Ryanne Williams (Norwell, Mass.) also finished in double-figures with 15 point to go along with five rebounds.  Junior captain Brianna McCain (Hampton, N.H.), who was selected to the All-Tournament team, came off the bench to score eight points and pull down a game-high 10 rebounds.   Seeing limited playing time the past two years, McCain is happy to help her team on the court.  "I think it's nice to make a contribution on the floor.  Last year I tried to make a contribution on the bench," she said. "Either way I'm good with it as long as we get the win."

            We're going to need contributions from everyone," said KSC Coach Keith Boucher.  "It's a process.  We're all trying to work together."

            The Owls used an 11-2 spurt late in the first half to pull away from the Lyons.  Freshman Laurie Allen (Medford, Mass.) ignited the run with a steal she converted into a lay-up. "My role is to energize the team," said Allen, who also had six rebounds.

            Sophomore Christan Wojtas (Amherst, N.H.) completed the uprising. Heading out of bounds under the basket, she flipped the ball to Williams who hit a lay-up to give KSC a 27-18 lead.  The Owls led 33-26 at halftime.

            Keene State maintained its lead in the second half.  A conventional three-point play by Williams put the Owls up 44-32 at the 15:24 mark. "I just do whatever I can to help this team win," said Williams. 

            Kiernan heated up later in the half, scoring 11 straight points for the Owls, the final basket coming on a lay-up following a steal by senior Siobhan Carnell (Quincy, Mass.) that put Keene State up 59-47 with 4:57 to play.    

           Sophomore Amber Legare (Chicopee, Mass.) and senior Angelica Pascual (Lawrence, Mass.) represented NHC on the All-Tournament team.  Legare had 18 points and seven rebounds and Pascual finished with 11 points and six rebounds for the Lyons (1-1).  Sophomore Kate Karraker (Morgantown, W.V.) chipped in with 10 points and five assists. 

           Keene State won despite struggling from the field.  The Owls hit 25-73 shots from the field (34%) and just 13% (2-15) from behind the arc.  However, they did hit all 15 of their attempts from the line.  KSC out-rebounded the Lyons 50-35.

           Mount Ida College defeated York (N.Y.) College 63-38 in the tournament's consolation game.  It was the first victory for Mount Ida first-year coach Leah Lipschitz.

           The Mustangs (1-1) raced out to a 37-12 halftime lead and never looked back.

           Senior Evebonee Acosta (Hartford, Conn.), who was named the All-Tournament team, scored a game high 24 points and junior Leslie Campbell (Quincy, Mass.) had 12 points to lead Mount Ida. 

          Junior Danielle Dunn (Queens, N.Y.) had 14 points and sophomore Stayce Kay Muirhead (Brooklyn, N.Y.) finished with 12 points for the Cardinals (0-2).

KSC All-Tournament Team

Siobhan Carnell – Keene State

Brianna McCain – Keene State

Evebonee Acosta – Mount Ida

Angelica Pascual – Mount Holyoke

Amber Legare – Mount Holyoke

MVP Carly Kiernan  - Keene State