KEENE, N.H. 1/19/13 – Senior Anthony Mariano (Naugatuck, Conn.) came off the bench to score 25 points while hitting six three-pointers and senior Eric Fazio (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) finished with 15 points and a career high 13 rebounds, leading the Keene State men's basketball team to a 89-60 Little East Conference win over UMass-Dartmouth at Spaulding Gym on Saturday.  

Mariano, who received a commemorative ball for getting his 1,000^th career point against R.I. College last Saturday, kept on shooting. "I got in a nice rhythm, "said Mariano.  "I just know when it's my time to go 100-percent.  I think we're getting hot at the right time." 

"I thought we had a nice balanced attack," added KSC Coach Rob Colbert.  "Mariano shot the ball tremendously. His production has really gone up since coming off the bench. I think we're starting to dial in, not only in our roles, but the execution is getting a little bit better.  I like where we're headed."

Winners of three of their last four games, the Owls (10-6, 5-2 LEC) move into a tie for third place in the LEC with Southern Maine.  UMass-Dartmouth drops to 2-13 overall and 0-7 in conference play.

Senior Ryan Martin (Wayne, Maine) added 14 points while junior Montel Walcott (New Haven, Conn.) finished with a season high 10 points to go with seven rebounds for KSC. Senior Rashad Wright (Agawam, Mass.) pulled down nine rebounds while freshman Tre'Tipton (Stamford, Conn.) dished out a season high seven assists to go with two steals. 

Sophomore Mike Rotando (Point Pleasant Beach N.J.) had 16 point and six rebounds to lead the Corsairs.

Keene State came out running. Heading down the court, Tipton split a couple of Corsair defenders and hit Fazio for a lay-up giving the Owls an early 14-4 lead.

KSC maintained its lead throughout the first half. Tipton hit a driving lay-up to make it 29-17.  Keene State went to the locker room with a 38-22 lead.

KSC kept the pedal to the metal in the second half.  Sophomore Tom Doyle (Wallingford, Conn.) hit a three-pointer from the left of the circle.  After a foul was called under the basket giving the ball back to KSC, Ryan Martin hit a three-pointer from the right corner, putting the Owls up 51-31 at the 15:04 mark. Later, Mariano knocked down his fifth three-pointer of the game, making it 68-45 with 9:45 to go.  

The Corsairs made a mild run at the Owls, getting their deficit down to 68-54 on a three-ball by junior John Genkos (Worcester, Mass.) with 6:07 to go. 

Coming back into the game, Mariano made a four-point play after being fouled after making a three-pointer and Tipton set up Walcott down low, pushing KSC's lead back up to 75-56 with 4:30 to play. 

Keene State controlled the boards 49-35, including 20 offensive rebounds.  They shot 28-70 (40%) from the field, 10-20 (50%) from three-point land and 23-31 (74%) from the line.

Keene State hosts Eastern Conn. on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.).