Johnson Drops Season Opener

Johnson Drops Season Opener

The Keene State College men's basketball team rolled to a 109-70 win over Johnson State College in the opening game of the KSC Tip-Off Tournament.

Keene State placed five players in double figures, led by 18 from sophomore forward Jeff Lunn, who came off the bench to shoot 9-for-10 from the floor while pulling down seven boards.

Tom Doyle added 15 points, knocking down 6-of-10 from the field.  Wright finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and four steals, Nick Gagliolo poured in 11 off the bench, and Nate Howard added 10 points and six boards.

Lucas Hammel ran the offense to the tune of 11 assists, as the Owls rebounded Johnson State 62-28.  Lunn and Jaquel Edwards led the Owls with seven apeice.  The Owls outrebounded Johnson State 30-8 on the offensive glass.

The Badgers took an early 3-2 lead on a three point play by Asim Khan, but the Owls rattled off the next 10 as Doyle had an early three point play, then drained a three with 17:48 on the clock.

Matt Ozzella's layup pushed the lead to 21-11, then went up 37-16 when Paul Emdin with 9:05 left in the first half. Vernon Slator made a three for Johnson State that cut the Keene State lead to 59-37 at halftime.

Two free throws by Jimmy Layman gave Keene State its biggest lead of the game at 103-61 with 4:18 to go.

The Owls will take on Western New England University in the championship game at 3 p.m. tomorrow.  The Golden Bears, coached by KSC alum Mike Theulen, beat Wheaton College (Mass.) 81-80 in the day's later game. Johnson State and Wheaton will meet in the consolation game at 1 p.m.