The Keene State women’s basketball team celebrated Michelle LaBonte in the senior day game held on Saturday, Feb. 18 against the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston.
LaBonte has been unable to participate during her final season due to an ACL injury. To grant her special recognition, LaBonte was given the chance to score the first layup of the game, which was deemed to be a touching moment for the entire team.
The Owls began with a quick 8-0 burst to give themselves an immediate lead. This lead continued through the entirety of the game as Keene State ended the first half up 35-27. The Owls came up again rapidly at the start of the second half, gaining a 13-point lead. The Owls kept control over this pace and went on to take the game with a final score of 68-56. The owls shot 45 percent overall, with a high mark of 52 percent that took place in the second half.
It was a big game for the sophomore class as forward Kenzie Durnford scored a new career high of 22 points. Additionally, guards Aryanna Murray and Elizabeth Gonyea scored in double-figures.
The Owls have now won three out of their last four games, breaking their previous home-game losing streak of six. The women also secured the number six seed with the help of University of Southern Maine beating out Western Connecticut State University 71- 54.
The Owls are scheduled to hit the road Tuesday, Feb. 21, to face off against UMass Dartmouth in the Little East Conference (LEC) tournament quarterfinals.
Jill Diamond can be contacted at
jdiamond@kscequinox.com
