KEENE, N.H. - Another hard-fought conference battle ended in a loss for UMass Boston Women's Basketball, who fell to Keene State College by a final score of 59-52 on the road on Saturday afternoon. 

THE BASICS
UMass Boston 52, Keene State College 59

UMass Boston (3-9, 1-4 LEC)
Keene State College (6-5, 2-1 LEC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
A slow start for both sides saw the Beacons trailing 4-3 with just under three and a half minutes to play in the first quarter. A Sibayla Jensen three-pointer put UMass Boston out in front momentarily before three Keene State free throws swung it back to a deficit. At the end of the first quarter, the Owls led 7-6.

A Paige Olliverre three and an Alexah Potter layup matched a pair of Keene State buckets to keep the score knotted at 11 early in the second. The two teams continued to trade baskets heading into the half, with Potter putting in six of her 16. Samora Merchant's late layup gave the Beacons their largest lead at four, but a Keene State three cut the advantage back to one heading into the break.

Another slow start in the third quarter gave way to a 4-0 run from the Owls to put them ahead by three before an Olliverre triple tied the game at 30. Keene State continued to attack the basket, but Potter had a response for each bucket, scoring seven straight to keep the game tied at 37-37. The Beacons trailed by two heading into the fourth.

A Keene State run to start the fourth gave them their largest lead, 50-41 with under seven minutes left to play. A 7-0 run boosted by four points from Sophie Bradbury cut the UMass Boston deficit back to two points at the 3:50 mark, but that is as close as the score would be. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Behind Potter's 16 points and 17 rebounds, the Beacons outscored the Owls 32-18 in the paint 
• The Beacons have held their opponent under 60 points six times this season
• Potter is now the team's leading scorer with an average of 8.8 points per game
• Keene State has won three of the last four meetings between the teams

WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will to North Dartmouth on Tuesday, January 9 to face in-state rival UMass Boston in a Little East Conference showdown.