KEENE, N.H. 12/9/12 – The Keene State College men's basketball team hung on to defeat Mass. College of Liberal Arts 89-86 in a wild non-conference game played at Spaulding Gym on Sunday. 

            The Owls (5-3), who win two games in a row for the first time this season, didn't make it easy on themselves, almost squandering a 13 point lead (72-59) with five minutes to play.  KSC Coach Rob Colbert went to his bench to give several reserves playing time, but MCLA (2-6) wasn't ready to raise the white flag.  The Trailblazers quickly erased the Owls lead, getting within one point 87-86 with 12 seconds to go before KSC was able to put the game way with a couple of free throws by senior Ryan Martin(Wayne, Maine).

            "I made the mistake. That's all on me," said Colbert after the game.  "I'm disappointed that I did that to those kids.  "That was a coaching mistake.  That has nothing to do with our kids. But we definitely have to learn how to close out games."

            "We're a battered and bruised bunch, so winning two in a row for the first time this year is big." Colbert added.  "Hopefully we'll get some time to heal up and get some practice time that we really need."

            KSC placed five players in double figures with Martin, who was 8-8 at the line, leading the way with 16 points. Senior Anthony Mariano (Naugatuck, Conn.) and junior John Boyatsis (Dover, N.H.) came off the bench to play key roles in the win.  Mariano scored 15 points to go with four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and three steals while Boyatsis finished with 12 points, including three baskets from behind the arc. 

            "It's great to be back.  I had a rough start," said Boyatsis, who has been seeing more time at the power forward spot of late.  "It worked out today. I had some open threes."

            "It felt good to help us win the game," said Mariano.  "I knew when coach called my number I had to do something to help us and show I'm a big part of the team."

            "You know everyone is going to guard Martin all over the place, so if we can two other guys to stretch the defense that open it up a little bit," said Colbert. "We've been waiting for John to get healthy and Anthony to get going.  "Hopefully it's a sign of things to come."

            Senior Rashad Wright (Agawam, Mass.) also made the most of his 18 minutes off the bench, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, four blocks and two steals. Keene State set a school record with 14 blocks in the game.

            Junior John Jones (Worcester, Mass.) had a game high 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead MCLA.

            Off to a sluggish start after yesterday's emotional win over UMass-Boston, the Owls found themselves trailing MCLA early in the game.  The Trailblazers went on an 11-2 run to take a 26-16 lead on a layup by senior Vernon Cross (Colonie, N.Y) with 7:49 to go in the first half.

            Keene State used its full court press to get back in the game. Mariano knocked down a three-pointer from the right corner to give KSC a 30-29 lead.

            Boyatsis got the hot-hand later in the half.  He scored the Owls final eight points of the half, draining a couple of three-pointers and hitting a driving layup to put KSC 40-33.  

            With a couple of seconds to go, Wright stole the inbounds pass under the MCLA basket enabling KSC to hold on to its seven-point lead at the half.

            The Owls scored the first five points of the second half, opening a 45-33 lead on a three-ball by sophomore Tom Doyle (Wallingford, Conn.), who had 12 points. 

            MCLA responded with a 15-4 run, cutting KSC's lead to one point (49-48) on a three-pointer by sophomore Mike Muller (Norton, Mass.) with 12:06 to go.  On MCLA's next trip down the court, Muller hit a lay-up to tie the score at 50-all with a layup.

             Keene State used the three-ball to pull away from the Trailblazers. Boyatsis, freshman Nick Gagliolo (Peabody, Mass.) and Mariano hit consecutive three-pointers to cap a 13-0 run that put KSC up 63-50 with 8:15 to play.   

            Wright hit a conventional three-point play, giving the Owls a 70-57 lead with 5:36 to go.  Later in half, Doyle had the hustle play of the game.  Going out of bounds deep in the backcourt, he flipped the ball to a driving Mariano who hit a lay-up, making it 82-67.

            The Trailblazer didn't go down without a fight. Sophomore Ruben DelRosario (Springfield, Mass.) hit a spinning lay-up to make it an 83-79 game with 56 seconds to go. After Wright hit one of two free throws, DelRosario knocked down a three-pointer to cut the Owls lead to two points (84-82) with 45 seconds remaining.  Senior Eric Fazio (Hopewell junction, N.Y.) and Jones traded free throws to keep it a two point game (86-84).

            MCLA got the ball back on a KSC turnover on the inbounds play, but Jones missed a lay-up.  After Wright hit one of his two free throws, Jones hit a lay-up to make 87-86 with 12 seconds on the clock.

            Fouled on the inbounds pass, Martin hit both of his free throws to give KSC an 89-86 lead with nine seconds to play.

            Following a timeout, Muller missed a three-point shot.  DelRosario grabbed the rebound and tried to get behind the line for a trey, but time expired before he was able to shoot.

            "It was an important game going into break, but we made it more interesting than we wanted," said Mariano.     

            Cross had 13 points and senor Bilal Shabazz (Schenectady, N.Y.), DelRosario and Muller each had 10 points for MCLA.

            Keene State won the battle of the boards 50-38, but allowed 25 offensive rebounds by the Trailblazers.  KSC hit 11 of its 20 attempts from three-point land (55%). Both teams spent time at the line.  KSC was 22-36 (61%) while MCLA was 27-31 (87%).

            Keene State is off until Friday, Dec. 28 when its plays Mary Washington (Md.) College in the Montclair State (N.J.) University Holiday Tournament.