KEENE, N.H.--The Keene State College men's basketball team was handed a 95-69 defeat by the University of New England at Spaulding Gym on Friday night.

Records

• Keene State: 6-4
• University of New England: 3-7

How it Happened

The Nor'Easters got a career high 30 points from Gavin Dibble.  The junior guard knocked down six three pointers and connected on 12 of 14 free throw attempts, while pulling down six rebounds.  Drew Coveney added 19 points and nine assists, while Jean-Luc Parker had 16 points, seven steals, and four assists.  Tom Nason added 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Keene State got a double-double from Matt Ozzella, who led the way with 14 points and 10 boards.  Jake Collagan was the only other KSC player in double-figures with 13 points.  Dizel Wright, Jaquel Edwards, Jimmy Layman, and Damonte Turner each chipped in eight points.  Ty Nichols and Lucas Hammel each had six assists.  

KSC fell behind early, missing their first four field goal attempts while UNE jumped out to a 7-2 lead.  Layman's steal and layup cut the lead to 12-10, and Ty Nichols' layup with 9:26 to go gave the Owls their first lead of the ballgame at 18-17.  Turner knocked down a three with 6:48 left in the half for a 22-19 advantage, but the Nor'Easters went on a 9-0 run, as Coveney hit two three pointers and Dibble another for a 28-22 lead.

Turner netted another three to get KSC within 30-29, but the Nor'Easters ended the half on a 13-3 run as CJ Autry and Dibble drained three point shots and Coveney converted a three point play.

KSC pushed back in the early stages of the second half, as Ozzella scored six straight points, and Hammel found Edwards for a three from the right wing that cut the lead to 46-42.  Ozzella scored again on KSC's next possession to get the Owls within two, but Dibble hit a three on the next trip down the floor, starting a 15-0 run that put UNE up 61-44.

Dibble's free throw with 7:53 increased the lead to 74-50, and the Nor'Easters took their biggest lead with 4:37 left on Nason's basket. Collagan scored, then stole the ensuing inbounds pass and scored again to get KSC within 19 (88-69), but the Owls would not score again.

In the Paint

• The scoreline was a near reversal of last season's 89-66 Keene State win in Biddeford.  The teams have now split the all-time series, with each team wininng on the road.
• The Nor'Easters sizzled from three point range (12-26, 46.2%), and from the free throw line (29-32, 90.6%).  Keene State knocked down just five of 28 three point shots (17.9%).  
• UNE, led by 6-11 Sam Thomas and 6-10 Tom Nason, outrebounded the Owls 45-36, including 35-25 on the offensive glass.  

Up Next

• Keene State remains at home, hosting Fitchburg State University on January 2 at 6 p.m.
• The Nor'Easters host Western New England University in The Commonwealth Coast Conference action on January 3 at 7:30 p.m.