KEENE, N.H.--Kelsey Cognetta and Sandi Purcell each scored 23 points as the Keene State College women's basketball team maintained their perfect start to the season with a 86-71 win over UMass Dartmouth in Little East Conference action at Spaulding Gym on Saturday.

The Owls are 7-0, and 1-0 in the LEC.  The Corsairs suffer their first loss of the season, and are 7-1 overall, and 1-1 within the LEC.

Keene State raced into a 16-7 lead as Purcell scored six straight points and Sarah Kober converted a three point play. The Corsairs countered with a 13-7 run to close out the first quarter, getting within 23-20 as Alicia Kutil connected on a three and Megan Ronaghan made three free throws in the final seconds of the quarter.

The Owls got a boost off the bench from freshman Josie Amerson, who converted a three point play with 4:33 left in the second quarter that extended the lead to 36-29.  A layup from Adi Alicea-Cordero got the Corsairs within four (43-39) with a 1:13 left in the half, but Keene State got a jumper from Stephanie D'annolfo and a pair of freebies from Cognetta to lead 47-39 at the break.  

Keene State pulled away in the second half, as Purcell canned a pair of threes and Cognetta another to stretch the lead to 62-51.  The Corsairs never got closer than nine the rest of the way, and Keene State led by as many as 18 on D'Annolfo's layup with 4:39 left in the game.

Cognetta was nearly perfect for the game, connecting on five of seven shots from the floor, including all three three point shots she attempted, as well as making all 10 of her free throws.  Purcell shot 8-for-16 from the field, with three of her makes coming from behind the three point arc.  

The two were joined in double figures by Amanda Petrow, who had her second double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and D'Annolfo, who turned in another excellent all around performance with 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists, five steals, and two blocked shots.  
UMass Dartmouth was paced by Megan Ronaghan, who scored a game high 24 points.  Beth Castantini had 16 points, while Kutil had 14 and Colleen Kane had 10.  

Keene State will close out the semester by traveling to UMass Boston for an LEC game that begins at 1 pm on December 12.  UMass Dartmouth will host Johnson & Wales on December 8 at 7 p.m.