News Summary
Keene State Owls triumphed over UMass Boston in the LEC semifinals with a decisive 95-75 victory on February 27. The Owls showcased exceptional teamwork and shooting, leading with a strong performance from multiple players. As they prepare for the finals against Western Connecticut State University, excitement builds for a potential fourth consecutive championship. Meanwhile, UMass Boston’s struggles highlighted areas for improvement, but promising talent emerged for future seasons.
Exciting Win for Keene State in LEC Semifinals
Keene, get ready to celebrate! The Owls just pulled off a fantastic victory against UMass Boston, winning decisively with a score of 95-75 in the Little East Conference (LEC) semifinals on February 27. What a way to continue their momentum!
Setting the Stage
The game kicked off with Keene State showcasing their talent and teamwork right from the start. The Owls quickly took control, jumping out to an impressive 30-10 lead just ten minutes into the action. It’s hard not to get excited when your team is dominating the court!
Star Performers Shine Bright
This game was all about teamwork, with five players from Keene State scoring in double figures. Leading the pack was senior Octavio Brito, who put up 13 points on just 8 shot attempts. Talk about efficiency! Brito has been a vital player for the Owls this season, averaging a remarkable 22.5 points per game.
Another standout was Mitch Shettles, who showcased his prowess with a solid 15 points on an impressive 6-of-7 shooting performance, all within just 18 minutes of play. It’s always great to see players stepping up when it matters most!
Three-Point Barrage!
Keene State’s shooting performance was nothing short of sensational, knocking down 50% of their three-point attempts—14 out of 28. That’s a level of shooting that gets fans on their feet! Eight different players from the Owls’ roster managed to sink at least one three-pointer, spreading the scoring around and keeping the Beacons on their toes.
UMass Boston Struggles
On the other side of the court, UMass Boston faced significant challenges. They turned the ball over a staggering eight times and struggled with a low 0.5 assist-to-turnover ratio. This lack of offensive rhythm made it difficult for them to compete effectively in the game.
Leading scorer Emanuel Zayas had a disappointing night, only registering 9 points on 30% shooting. As he wraps up his time with UMass Boston, he finishes his college career averaging 12.8 points, 3.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game over four seasons. The Beacons will have to regroup in the offseason as they reflect on their performance.
Bright Spots for UMass Boston
Despite the loss, freshman Raphel Laurent emerged as a beacon of hope for UMass Boston, scoring an impressive 23 points. His performance proves that there’s talent in the pipeline for the Beacons. Additionally, Cameron Perkins, another talented freshman who previously averaged 25.8 points per game this season, is expected to return next year after his shoulder injury. Fingers crossed for a strong comeback!
Looking Ahead
As Keene State revels in this victory, they are now eyeing a historic achievement. The team has advanced to the finals for the fourth consecutive year and is set to face Western Connecticut State University. A win on March 1 would secure their fourth straight LEC championship, an accomplishment worth celebrating!
UMass Boston finishes their season with a record of 14-12 and will have to face an uphill battle in their historical matchup against Keene State, where they’ve lost 52 out of 61 encounters, including the last nine straight. It’s clear that the Owls have become a formidable opponent!
Mark your calendars for 1:00 PM on March 1; it’s going to be an exciting championship game! Will the Owls continue their winning streak and make history? Only time will tell!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Shooting Incident Rocks Boston’s Dorchester Neighborhood
Two Injured in Overnight Shooting in Downtown Crossing, Boston
UMass Boston Beacons Struggling to Stay in Playoff Race
UMass Men’s Basketball Secures Dominant Victory over UMass Boston
Keene State Men’s Basketball Achieves Thrilling Victory
Additional Resources
- My Keene Now: Keene State Men’s Basketball Dominates UMass Boston
- Keene Owls: KSC Seniors & Coach Enright Take Home All LEC Awards
- Keene Sentinel: Going for Four – Keene State Men Seeking History
- Wikipedia: Little East Conference
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Basketball
