WORCESTER, MASS.  1/7/14 – The Keene State College's women's basketball team improved its record to 7-3 with a 77-54 non-conference win over Worcester State University at Harrington Auditorium on the campus of Worcester Polytechnic University on Tuesday afternoon.

The noon-time game was part of the city's "Math Maness" event for local elementary and middle school students who were given the opportunity to enrich their math skills through basketball. "If they told me I could get out of school and see a college basketball game, I'd be happy with that," said KSC Coach Keith Boucher.

Senior Carly Kiernan (Topsfield, Mass.) registered her second double-double in the last three games, finishing with a game high 21 points and 14 rebounds.  "I'm just trying to stay hungry and crash the boards for rebounds and put-backs," said Kiernan, who was 8-18 from the field. 

Asked about her recent resurgence, Carly said "I'm just letting the game come to me and not thinking too hard about it," she said.

The Owls, who have won six of their last seven games, gave the students plenty of chances to count up their points against an undermanned Worcester State team that falls to 3-8.  Leading 10-7, Keene State went on a 15-2 run midway in the first half to go up 25-9 on a jump shot by freshman Sarah Kober (Easthampton, Mass.). Kiernan scored six points during the uprising including back-to-back jumpers.

"I think we played pretty good defense and got the opportunity to get out on the open floor and run," said Boucher, who used all 15 players on his roster.  "They're not very deep and we got a contribution from a lot of people."

After the Lancers cut the lead to 28-14 on a basket by Ashley Espinosa (Putnam, Conn.), KSC went back to work, building a 40-21 halftime lead. 

Junior Christan Wojtas (Amherst, N.H.) was on target once again from the outside, draining five of her eight three-point shots to finish with 15 points.  Sophomore point guard Kelsey Cognetta (Stamford, Conn.) also scored in double figures with 12 points to go with four rebounds and four assists while junior forward Courtney Roberts (Sutton, Mass.) had seven points and nine rebounds.

Espinosa scored 15 points and sophomore Julie Frankian (Millbury, Mass.) and junior Keisha Jones (Worcester, Mass.) each had 13 points for the Lancers.  Frankian pulled down a team high eight rebounds.

The Owls shot 41% (30-74) from the field and 7-19 (37%) from behind the arc and 10-15 (67%) from the line.   KSC controlled the boards by a wide 56-25 margin, had a 19-3 advantage in second chance points and did a good job distributing the ball, racking up 15 assist on its 30 baskets.

The Owls continue their busy week with a home game against Lasell College on Thursday and a Little East game against Rhode Island College on Saturday.  "This is a three-game week, so you don't have a lot of prep time," said Boucher.  "Everybody goes through this, but I'd rather do it now when the players aren't in class."