By Mike Setzler / Sports Information Staff

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – The Eastern Connecticut State University men's basketball team improved its overall record to 12-4 and conference record to 6-0 when the Warriors defeated Keene State College Wednesday night at Geissler Gymnasium.  Eastern handled the Owls with relative ease, 84-53. 

At right: Kevin Leumene leaves a couple of Keene players in his wake in the first half Wednesday night. (Photo by Liam Murphy)

The Warriors were able to avenge their 73-79 loss to Keene State during the conference semifinals last year at Rhode Island College, and improve their all-time record versus Keene to 61-51. 

Eastern remains the only unbeaten team in Little East Conference play.  The Warriors jumped out to a 16-5 start and would never look back.  Eastern's bench played a major role, outscoring the Keene bench 22 to 13 behind a phenomenal performance by sophomore guard Kevin Leumene (Stamford).  Leumene exploded off the bench, posting 16 points, six  rebounds, a block and a steal.

Fifth year senior tri-captain Mike Garrow (Terryville) had a typical first team all-conference performance with a 20 point, ten  rebound double-double. 

Sophomore guard Michael-Thomas Sciro (Westerly, RI) came off the bench to grab three rebounds and his sophomore roommate Matthew Sterner (Plymouth) would finish with two. 

The Warriors were able to hold last week's Little East player of the week, Tom Doyle,  reasonably in check, forcing him to take 20 shots to get his 23 points.  The Warriors set the tone early with their defense, holding Keene State to 30.6 percent  shooting from the field and forcing it into 16 turnovers which  led to 18 Warrior points. 

Eastern heads to Rhode Island College Saturday at 3 p.m. looking to sweep the regular-season series with the  defending conference regular-season and tournament champion Anchormen.