BABSON PARK, Mass.--No. 3 Babson College used a hot hand from beyond the arc to send the Keene State College men's basketball team to a 102-79 loss in the national quarterfinals of the 2017 NCAA Division III tournament at Staake Gym on Saturday night.

Records

• Keene State: 22-10
• Babson: 29-2

How it Happened

Babson shot 61.9% (39-63) from the field, including making 13 of 29 attempts from long range, while the Owls shot 48.3% (29-for-60), but connected on just five of 20 attempts from beyond the arc.

The first half was a fast-paced back and forth contest, as the two teams tied up the score five times. The Beavers grabbed their largest lead of the half with 6:22 on the clock off a basket from Charlie Rice for a ten point advantage, 38-28, Babson. Back-to-back baskets from Jeff Lunn but the Owls' deficit to five, before a three-point play from Nichols with 53 seconds remaining put Keene State within two. Joey Flannery responded with a three-pointer for Babson and the final tally of the half to send the two teams into the locker room with the Beavers holding a five-point advantage, 51-46.

The Owls would come close as seven in the second half, 69-62, after a layup from Lunn with 11:03 to go, before the Babson offense erupted on a 18-4 run to pull away from Keene State. The Owls got no closer than 17 the rest of the way, getting a three from Nichols with 3:10 to go.

Nichols led KSC with 21 points, five steals, and four assists, while Matt Ozzella added 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Jeff Lunn finished with 14 points and six boards, and Lucas Hammel tossed in 17.  

All five Babson starters scored in double-digits, led by Flannery, who poured in 29 on 11-for-15 shooting from the field. Charlie Rice had 20, and Nick Comenale added 17, while Isaiah Nelsen had 14 and Chris Lowry 10.

In the Paint

• Ozzella became the fifth player in school history to have over 1,200 points and 700 rebounds in his career, joining Tyler Kathan, Dave Terry, Al Hicks, and Chris Coates.
• Keene State was attempting to become the first public college from New England to make the Final Four since Salem State did so in 2000.
• The 102 points were the most Keene State had given up in a game all season.  

Up Next 

• The Owls, who were attempting to reach their first ever Final Four, will see the season end.  Seniors Matt Ozzella, Lucas Hammel, Jaquel Edwards, Jeff Lunn, Rodney Jean-Marie, and graduate student Nick Gagliolo end their careers with two Little East Conference championships, three 20 win seasons, and three trips to the NCAA tournament, including the Sweet 16 in 2016 and the Elite 8 in 2017.
• Babson reaches the Final Four for the second time in three years, and will play No. 1 Whitman in the national semifinals.