KEENE, N.H 1/7/14 – The Keene State College men's basketball team dropped a 82-68 non-conference game to Lasell College from Newton, Mass. at Spaulding Gym on Tuesday night.

The Owls, who fall to 3-7, spent the night digging themselves out of holes.  Junior Tom Doyle (Wallingford, Conn.) had 16 points and seven rebounds and sophomore center Nate Howard (Cheshire, Conn.) posted his fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds to go with five blocks to lead Keene State.

Senior Brandon Ganesh (West Palm Beach) had a game- high 26 points and sophomore Clyde Niba (Atlanta, Geo.) finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds for Lasell  (5-4), who have won three in a row.

"We weren't able to bring the intensity we needed tonight. It was almost a fluke that we were up by one at the half. We were on the verge of being blown-out, "said KSC Coach Rob Colbert.  "I'm disappointed in our effort and I'm disappointed in myself for not having these guys ready to play, especially after a great effort the other night (Sunday).  This might be one of those lessons you learn." 

It took a while for the Owls to get going, trailing by as many as 13 points (24-11) on a three-pointer from the right corner by senior Brock Walters (Jacksonville, Fla.) at the 10:24 mark.

KSC got back in the game by going to the hoop, getting some easy hoops and drawing fouls. The Owls then went outside.    Sophomore Tre' Tipton (Stamford, Conn.), who had 12 points, sandwiched a pair of three-pointers around a turn-around jumper in the lane by freshman Jaquel Edwards (Manchester, Conn.) to tie the game at 30-all with 3:31 to go.  Moments later, freshman Nick Fragola (North Branford, Conn.) hit one of two free throws to give KSC its first lead of the game (31-30) with 3:12 to play in the half.

Attacking the glass, Edwards, who had 12 points and six rebounds, hit a couple of lay-ups to put KSC up 36-32.  KSC had a slim 38-37 lead at the half.  

Like the start of the game, KSC had a tough time getting in gear to begin the second half.  The Lasers scored 14 straight points, going up 58-44 on a jumper by Ganesh at the 14:13 mark.   

The Lasers continued to make things tough for the Owls.  Ganesh hit a couple of free throws to make it 67-51 with 8:28 to go.

KSC attempted to chip away at the lead. Junior Tom Doyle (Wallingford, Conn.) caught fire, scoring  the Owls next 11 points, the last basket coming on a put-back to cut the deficit to nine points (74-65) with 2:31 to play. They got no closer.  

Ganesh knocked down a three-pointer to give Lasell a 77-65 lead with 1:45 to play.  

KSC shot 24-70 (34%) from the field, hit just six of its 20 three-pointers (30%) and went 14-20 at the line (70%). The Lasers knocked down 11 of their 20 three-pointers (55%)

Keene State will look to bounce back on Saturday when it returns to Little East Conference play with a home game against Rhode Island College (3 p.m.).