Worcester, MA --- Keene State senior Carly Kiernan (Topsfield, MA) registered second double-double of the season with a game-high 21 points and 14 rebounds to help lead the Owls past Worcester State, 77-54, in non-conference women's basketball action this afternoon at WPI's Harrington Auditorium.

The Owls (7-3) were also led by second-year Kelsey Cognetta (Stamford, CT) who dropped in 12 points and added a contest-best four assists while junior Christan Wojtas (Amherst, NH) who tallied 15 points and contributed three steals for the visitors.

Worcester State (3-8) was paced offensively with a campaign-high 15 points from freshman Ashley Espinosa (Putnam, CT). Sophomore classmates Julie Frankian (Millbury, MA) and Kiesha Jones (Worcester, MA/Doherty) each netted 13 points and corralled eight and four boards, respectively.

 The Lancers hosted their sixth annual "Math Madness" event as the Tatnuck Magnet, the Chandler Magnet and May Street elementary schools were in attendance at today's contest.

Approximately 300 students sharpened their mathematical skills through with activity and enrichment packets throughout the duration of the basketball game.

Keene State jumped to an early 8-2 advantage after Wojtas was able to dial one up from long range with five minutes gone in the opening half.

Following Espinosa a mid-range jump shot to cut the deficit to three at the 12:22 mark (12-9) the Owls embarked on a 28-8 run due in large part to a trio of trifectas by Wojtas to grab their largest lead of the half at 40-17 with just under a minute remaining.

Jones ended the half on a good note for the Lancers converting four straight shots from the charity stripe to cut the lead to 40-21 at the intermission.

Keene State grabbed their greatest margin of the contest in the second half after junior Courtney Roberts (Sutton. MA) connected on a lay-up at the 13:08 mark (56-29).

The Blue and Gold responded and generated a 14-4 spurt bookended by a pair of jumpers from Espinosa and senior Meaghan Burns (W. Brookfield, MA) to try and claw their way back making the score 60-43 with 7:15 remaining.

However, that was as close as the Lancers got as Keene State's defense stiffened over the final minutes to secure the victory.

The Owls shot 41 percent from the field (30-for-74) while WSU converted 35 percent of their shots (18-for-52). Keene State also drained six of their 19 bids from behind the arc (37 percent) as Worcester State connected for just three of their 13 attempts from downtown (23 percent).

Keene State also led in total rebounds (56-25), second chance points (19-3), fast break points (18-10) and points in the paint (38-12).

The Owls return home to take on Lasell this Thursday at 7 PM. Worcester State opens MASCAC play when they host MCLA on Saturday evening when they return to Harrington Auditorium for a 5 o'clock contest at WPI.

Story And Photos By John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Top Photo - Senior teamates Michel'le St. Pierre and Emily Barrett Help Local Elementary School Students Measure The Circumference Of A Regulation Women's Basketball At Math Madness

Middle Photo - Michel'le St. Pierre Takes To The Floor With Local Students To Find Out How Long The Free Throw Line Is From The Backboard

Bottom Photo - A Crowd Shot Of Todays Sixth Annual Math Madness Event

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