Women's Basketball's Quest for Repeat ECAC Crown Derailed by Keene State

Keene State 56, WPI 49

Keene, NH --- Top seed and host Keene State (19-8) advanced to the finals of the ECAC New England Division III Women's Basketball Tournament with a 56-49 victory over fourth seed and defending champion WPI in Saturday's first semifinal game. Sixth seed Plymouth State University (17-10) upset second seed Regis College 72-65 in the second semifinal game to set up the championship game between the two LEC teams.

Senior guard Kristin Degou (Newburyport, MA) scored a game high 19 points and sophomore forward Courtney Cirillo (Windsor Locks, CT) came off the bench to record her second double-double of the season with 10 points and a career high 13 rebounds to lead Keene State to the win over WPI.

Holding a slim 28-27 lead early in the second half, the Owls went on an 11-2 run to go up 39-29. Eight of the points came from Degou, who knocked down consecutive three-pointers.

The Engineers got the lead down to four points 53-49 on a lay-up by freshman forward Theresa Logan (Southboro, MA) with 2:55 to play. Senior forward Nicole Simmler (Oxford, MA), who finished with 12 points, and Cirillo hit free throws down the stretch to hold off WPI. Cirillo's shots came after grabbing a key offensive rebound.

Freshman guard Caitlin O'Connor (New Hampton, NH) scored 11 points and sophomore guard Lauren Hanmmann (East Greenbush, NY) finished with 10 points for WPI, which concludes its season with a 20-10 record.

The contest marked the final game for WPI seniors Brittney McNally (Mapleville, RI) and Liz Tuite (Hopkinton, MA). McNally, a four-year player, leaves the program as the career leader in wins (82). She was a part of two NEWMAC regular season championships and pair of ECAC New England titles.