PSU extended its winning streak to six straight, as well as 15 of its last 17. The Panthers, 17-5 overall and 9-2 in conference play, remain tied for first place in the LEC, while the Owls had their six-game winning streak stopped and fell to 13-8 overall and 6-5 in the Little East.
Pelotte, who has scored in double figures in 37 straight contests, tossed in 35 points, his fourth game this season and second straight outing with more than 30 points. He made 5-of-10 from three-point range and 10-of-13 from the free throw line, while also collecting four assists and four steals. Pope finished with 26 points and a career-high 19 rebounds, his 12th double-double of the season. He also added four assists and five steals.
Junior Kevin Boutilier (North Andover, Mass.) chipped in with 11 points and six boards for the Panthers.
Keene State junior Sean Sullivan (Athol, Mass.) was held scoreless in the first half, but erupted for a team-high 24 points in the second half along with a team-high seven rebounds. Junior Adam Gervais (Chelsea, Maine) contributed 14 points off the Owls bench, while freshman David Sontag (Mount Vernon, N.H.) and Matt Hickey (Mahopac, N.Y.) chipped in with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The visitors maintained the advantage most of the first half, leading by as many as nine points twice (22-13 and 29-20). PSU didn’t let the Owls get away, though, and battled back to forge a 42-42 tie at halftime.
It was a tight game throughout the second half, with neither team leading by more than six points. There were 11 lead changes before PSU took the lead for good (73-71) with eight minutes remaining. Keene State hung tough and it was still a four-point game (86-82) with 57 seconds remaining but PSU held on down the stretch.
It will be Senior Day at Foley Gymnasium this Saturday as PSU hosts UMass Boston in the last regular season home game (3:00 p.m.) Keene State returns home to host Western Connecticut on Saturday (3:00 p.m.)
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