BOSTON, MA - Senior forward Malik Lorquet's 24 points, 19 rebounds, and five blocks helped UMass Boston Men's Basketball keep the score close on Saturday afternoon, but fourth-nationally ranked Keene State College held on to take home the victory by a final score of 78-71 at the Clark Athletic Center. 
 
THE BASICS
 
UMass Boston 71, #4 Keene State College 78
 
UMass Boston (12-4, 5-2 LEC)

#4 Keene State College (15-0, 7-0 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Beacons were seeking their first win over a nationally-ranked opponent this season as well as their ninth straight win, hoping to break a tie for the longest win streak in program history set by the 1984-1985 team, as well as move to the best start in program history at 13-3. 
 
Lorquet and sophomore guard Emanuel Zayas started the scoring early with two layups from each and a free throw from Zayas helping the Beacons to an early 9-6 lead. Keene State, however, responded quickly, going on an 11-0 run to take an eight-point lead with 13 minutes to play in the first half.
 
With 52 of the Beacons' 71 points coming in the paint, it was Lorquet who shouldered much of the offensive load. His 24 points were a game-high and his 19 rebounds tied his personal best on the season. 
 
Freshman Xavier McKenzie joined Lorquet with a 20-point game of his own. McKenzie continued a stretch of prolific scoring, posting 20 points for the sixth time this season and his third straight game. His scoring average has improved from 13.8 on January 4 to 15.7 after Saturday's game.
 
In the final three minutes of play, a pair of layups from sophomore forward Ike Eluwa and junior guard Bobby Joy along with two made free throws from McKenzie cut the Keene State lead down to five, 76-71, but that was as close as the score would be as the Owls went on to win the game by a final score of 78-71. 
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• The Beacons win streak ends at eight, tying them with the 1984-1985 team for the program best
• Saturday was the fourth game in the last six in which Malik Lorquet and Xavier McKenzie have each scored 20 points
• With 19 more rebounds added to his career total, Malik Lorquet needs just 62 more to tie the program record 788 set by Terry Kennedy
• The Owls' seven-point margin of victory was their second-narrowest in their undefeated season
• The Beacons are now 4-24 all time against Keene State

 
WHO'S NEXT
 
UMass Boston hits the road for a pair of Little East Conference matchups, first taking on University of Southern Maine on Wednesday night at 7:30 PM. The Beacons swept the Huskies last season in their two matchups and have won eight of their last nine matchups in the head-to-head history.