KEENE, N.H. - The third-seeded Keene State College Owls defended their home court Wednesday night in the opening round of the 2026 Little East Conference (LEC) Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament with a 60-54 win over sixth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University. 

Keene State improved to 17-8 with the win, and will next head to second-seeded Rhode Island College for Friday’s semifinal round action, tipping off at 6 p.m. 

Ruby Dasaro led the Owls with a team-best 18 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Eight of her 12 second half points were scored in the fourth quarter, including a layup after she knocked the ball away from Marissa Nudd with 18 seconds to go in the contest, capping the scoring in the game. 

Bryn Rautiola also scored in double-figures for Keene State with 16 points to go along with eight boards, three assists and two steals. Avery Stewart chipped in with eight points. 

Marissa Nudd dropped a game-high 21 points to go with 10 rebounds to lead the Warriors (9-17). Katelyn Novak added 12 points with eight boards. 

Eastern Connecticut took a narrow 33-32 lead at the half and led by three after Nudd opened the second half scoring with a pair of free throws in the opening minute of the third quarter. Back-to-back buckets from Dasaro followed, launching a 16-5 run for the Owls that put them out in front for good in the contest at 48-40 with three minutes left in the third. 

The Warriors scored each of the next seven points in the game to pull back within one, but that was as close as they would get the rest of the way. Nudd pulled them within 57-54 after making a layup as she was fouled and converting the free throw attempt that followed with 2:32 to go, but Eastern was held scoreless the rest of the way. 

NOTE: The other First Round matchup between No. 4 UMass Boston and No. 5 UMass Dartmouth will take place Thursday night due to the impact of Monday’s blizzard on Southern New England.