Box Score

KEENE, N.H. -- Keene State College scored the first 18 points of the contest and never looked back, defeating the University of New England, 84-47, in the title game of the KSC Women's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament Saturday afternoon at Spaulding Gymnasium.

First-year all-tournament selection Amber Alberto (Waterbury, Conn.) tallied seven of her game-high 24 points in the opening 6:37 as the Owls seized control of the game. The guard finished the match going 11-for-16 from the field.

The Nor'easters put together an 11-3 spurt in the next 4:18 to reduce the deficit to 10 (21-11), but that was as close as the visitors would get. First-year Katie Ziemnik (Oswego, Ill.) scored eight of her team-high 11 during the run.

From there it was all Keene State, which held a 40-21 advantage at the break. UNE fell behind after shooting just 17.9 percent (5 of 28) before intermission. 

Following an Alberto jumper 18 seconds into the final period, the Owls' lead never dipped below 20. The tournament hosts connected on 51.5 percent (17 of 33) shot attempts in the half.

Senior Nicole Simmler (Oxford, Mass.) recorded a double-double for the winners, with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Classmate and tournament MVP Kristin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) also had 13 points to go with three blocks. Sophomore all-tournament selection Sara Laudano (North Haven, Conn.) chipped in with 12 points.

Senior Alyssa Sapp (Hartford, Conn.) dished out seven assists for Keene State (3-0), which went 10-for-18 (55.6 percent) from three-point range in the game.

The Nor'easters (3-1) ended the contest shooting 28.3 percent from the floor, and committed 28 turnovers.

For UNE, which visits seventh-ranked Bowdoin College Tuesday at 8 p.m., sophomore April Mroz (Somersworth, N.H.) and senior all-tournament selection Katie Diggins (Merrimack, N.H.) each posted seven points. Sophomore Kelley Paradis (Newport, Maine) also earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

The Owls also travel to a NESCAC opponent Tuesday, playing at Trinity College (Conn.).