NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Brynn Rautiola and Valerie Luizzi combined for 50 of the Keene State College women's basketball teams' 69 points, but it was not enough, as the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth remained perfect in Little East Conference play with a 77-69 win over the Owls.

Records

• Keene State: 7-10 (3-5 LEC)
• UMass-Dartmouth: 14-2 (7-0 LEC)

How it Happened


KSC jumped out to a fast start, as Rautiola made her three throws to open the scoring 1:07 into play. Carly Whiteside responded with a pair of baskets on the Corsairs' next two possessions to put UMD ahead. Soon after, Rautiola hit a three to regain the lead, but Whiteside once again answered right back with a layup to tie the game up at six apiece. Luizzi's first three points of the game came next on an and-one to give KSC what wound up being their last lead of the game, up 9-6. Amaris Mills hit a three on the ensuing possession for UMD, then followed it up with a block on defense and another three on offense, to put UMD up 12-9. Luizzi brought the Owls to within a point with 5:39, but KSC was unable to score the rest of the quarter, with UMB ended the quarter on a 9-0 run. To end the first, KSC went 0-for-5 from the field, including 0-for-3 from three, along with seven turnovers to give the Corsairs a 21-12 lead after the first.
 
UMD opened the second with three points to make it 12 consecutive points, but Kiley Bundy answered back with a three, 2:41 into the quarter, ending the 8:20 scoreless drought for the Owls. Both teams traded points back-and-forth over the next few minutes, as Lilly Krysinski, Rautiola, and Luizzi each made a layup, but UMD still held a 31-20 lead with four minutes remaining in the first half. Melanie Demeo made a jumper for UMD to extend the lead to 13, but KSC was able to get as close as 10 points with an and-one from Angel Pillsbury. UMD outscored KSC 6-2 the rest of the half, as they took their 39-24 lead into the second half.
 
KSC started to make their comeback in the fourth, as they scored 25 of the 46 points in the quarter. Rautiola opened the third quarter on fire, after KSC turned the ball over on their first possession, she scored eight points across the next three possessions. Rautiola's hot start forced UMD to take a timeout as KSC had cut the lead to just six, 2:09 into the quarter. Mills made a layup for the Corsairs on their first possession after the timeout, but Luizzi answered right back with a three to cut the lead to just five. Both teams continued to stay hot from beyond the arc over the next few minutes, as Luizzi hit two and Rautiola hit one, compared to Mills hitting three for UMD as the teams combined to hit six consecutive threes without a miss. With 3:36 remaining in the quarter, Luizzi made a layup that cut the Corsairs' lead to only three, but UMD responded with scoring 10 straight points, with Rautiola hitting a three in the closing seconds to give the Corsairs a 60-50 lead heading into the final quarter.
 
The Owls once again started the quarter out hot, as they went on a seven-point run to open the scoring. Pillsbury recorded, while Samantha Lee scored the other two points to cut the lead to three, 3:02 into the fourth. UMD responded with five points across their next two possessions, but KSC wouldn't give up, as Rautiola hit a three and Lee hit both of her free throw attempts after an offensive board, bringing KSC back to within three with 4:34 left to play. UMD went on a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to increase their lead back to 10, but once again, KSC responded with Luizzi assisting Lee for a layup, then a three of her own to make the score 72-67 with 1:43 remaining. Teja Andrews put the final nail in the coffin for UMD with a layup to go up by seven with 1:17 remaining, as UMD held on for a 77-69 lead at the end of the day. 
 
Inside the Paint

• With the loss, the Owls still lead the all-time series against the Corsairs, despite losing the six mist recent meetings.
• Rautiola recorded a game-high of 29 points, on 9-for-17 (52.9%) from the field, 6-for-11 (54.5%) from three, and 5-for-5 at the line.
• Lee led with a game-high of nine rebounds, while Luizzi was close behind her with eight boards, along with her 21 points, coming from 8-for-13 (61.5%) from the field, and 4-for-7 (57.1%) from three.
• KSC's 24 turnovers are the most in a game this season, and the Corsairs took advantage by scoring 23 points off turnovers.
• The Owls had their second-best game from three on the season, as they shot 11-for-24 (45.8%).
• Ruby Dasaro had a game-high of six assists, while Avery Stewart led KSC with a team-high of two steals.

 
Up Next


Keene State returns home for their next matchup, as they will host the University of Southern Maine on Saturday, January 25, at 1:00 PM.
UMass-Dartmouth will next play at Bates College on Saturday, January 25, at 2:00 PM.