Box Score KEENE, NH - Kelsey Cognetta poured in a game-high 19 points and Stephanie D'Annalofo pulled down a career high 17 rebounds to go with nine points and five assists as the Keene State women's basketball team won their conference opener 58-47 over UMass Boston Saturday afternoon at Spaulding Gymnasium.
The Owls improve to 5-2, 1-0 LEC and have won four straight, while the Beacons dip to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
KSC hit back-to-back treys on their first two possesions to take an early 6-1 lead and stretched it to a nine point advantage (20-11) on Sandi Purcell's three-pointer with 12:19 remaining. The Beacons responded over the next five minutes with an eight point run sparked by two Kirsten morrison layups.
The Owls regrouped and ended the half on a 12-1 run to go into halftime with a 32-20 lead.
UMass Boston started the second half on a 13-0 run backed by eight points by Taje Burston as her jumper gave the Beacons a 33-32 lead at the 16:32 mark.
From that point, neither team held a lead larger than two points until Cognetta's trey and two D'Annolfo free throws gave they Owls a seven point lead (49-42) they would not relinquish.
Christan Wojtas added 13 points and a career high seven rebounds for KSC.
The Beacons were led by Olivia Murphy's 10 points and Kirsten Morrison came off the bench to score 13 points and nine rebounds.
Both teams struggled from the field as the Owls went 17-55 (30.9%) from the field, while the Beacons shot 16-55 (29.1%). KSC held the advantage in rebounds 48-36.
Keene State has a week off before hosting LEC opponent Southern Maine Saturday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. UMass Boston hosts Simmons on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
