KEENE, N.H. - The Western Connecticut State University Wolves saw their late-season push and nine-game winning streak come to an end with an 80-67 setback against the top-seeded Keene State University Owls in finals of the Little East Conference (LEC) Men's Basletball Championship Tournament this afternoon at Spaulding Gymnasium.  WestConn closes the year with an 18-9 record, having only lost to the Owls over the last 60 days of the season.  Keene State improves to 22-5 and wins the LEC title for the fourth year in a row and for the third consecutive time via a victory over the Wolves in the finals.  The Owls will represent the LEC in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament next weekend.

WestConn senior forward Jourdan Belcher (Elmsford, N.Y.) scored the game-s first points on an early jumper off the opening tip, but Keene State scored the next 10 points over the next five minutes of play.  Senior guard Jeremiah Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y.) made a pair of free throws to end the Wolves's scoring drought, but the Owls went on an 8-0 run to lead, 18-4, with 11:06 left in the first half.  A short jumper by WestConn senior Cameron Gallon (York, Pa.) at the 7:08 mark made the score, 24-13, but again Keene State answered with five points in a row and maintained its double-digit lead into halftime.

Trailing, 37-20, at the break and, 70-39, with 8:24 on the clock, WestConn fought hard until the end.  Senior Keeshawn Jones (Middletown, N.Y.) hit a jumper to make the score, 77-63, capping off a 24-7 Wolves run at the 2:16 mark, but neither team made a field goal the rest of the way until the final second.  Gallon paced the visitors in scoring with 15 points and added a team-high nine rebounds, while juniors Nick Boyce (Jamaica, N.Y.) and Tayejon Lynch (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) added 11 points apiece.  Boyce also pulled down seven boards and Lynch had five rebounds while shooting 6-for-6 from the foul line.  Four Owls finished in double figures in scoring, led by Wesley Odiase with 20 points.  Keene State's Octavio Brito had 13 points and 10 rebounds.