KEENE, N.H. - Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts outscored the Keene State College women's basketball team 22-8 in the final quarter to post a come-from-behind 67-59 victory on Saturday afternoon at Spaulding Gymnasium.

Records

• Keene State:  1-3
• MCLA:  2-1

How It Happened

Lilly Shlimon led the Owls with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and a block.  Kenzie Bennett had 10 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Samira Sangare chipped in eight points, seven rebounds and two assists.  MCLA got an 11-of-14 effort from the field and 22 points from L'Rae Brundige.

The Owls started strong, as they got triples from Shlimon and Sangare to lead 8-2 within the first three minutes.  It was still 12-6 at the 5:14 mark after a Bennett layup, but MCLA outscored KSC 12-4 over the remainder of the quarter to take the lead after one.  Brundige's basket with 3:30 left in the quarter put the Trailblazers up 13-12, their first lead of the contest.  It was a game of runs in the second quarter.  Trailing 18-16, the Owls opened the second quarter by scoring six straight points for a four-point lead, only to see MCLA go back ahead on a three (24-22) with six minutes to go.  KSC responded with 10 consecutive points of their own, finished off with a three-point play from Shlimon and a three from Sangare for a 32-24 edge at the 2:37 mark.  The Trailblazers outscored the Owls 9-3 over the remainder of the quarter to get back within two at the break (35-33).

Keene State appeared to be in command in the third quarter, as they never trailed in the period.  A layup each from Shlimon and Sangare sandwiched around a three from Emily McPadden had the Owls ahead 45-37 less than three minutes in, and they were still up 48-41 after Shlimon canned a trey at the 5:11 mark.  Jenny Freedman's jumper as the quarter wound down put KSC back up eight, but Brundige answered with a bucket to make it a 51-45 game after three.  MCLA took over in the final quarter, as they shot 57% from the floor while holding Keene State to 29%.  A three from Courtney Pingelski brought the Trailblazers within one, but Bennett's layup at the 5:44 mark kept KSC in front 55-52.  The Owls only scored four more points after that.  Hien Thach put the Owls ahead 57-56 with 3:24 to go, answering after MCLA had taken their first lead of the half, but McKenzie Robinson's three at the 2:59 mark put the visitors up for good.  Brundige's basket with just over a minute left made it 65-59 Trailblazers, and the Owls never threatened again.

Inside the Paint

• MCLA made 28-of-60 (46.7%) from the floor while holding KSC to just 35.9% shooting (23-of-64).  The Trailblazers made 6-of-18 (33.3%) from long range and the Owls 7-of-34 (20.6%).
• MCLA had a 43-31 advantage in rebounds, including 35-25 on the defensive end.
• Keene State's six blocks matched a season-high (Anna Maria) and their 10 turnovers were a season low.

Up Next

• Keene State plays the fifth of 10 straight home games when they entertain Endicott College on Tuesday, November 20 at 5:00 pm.
• MCLA heads home to take on Mount Holyoke College on the same day at 6:00 pm.