DANBURY, Conn. - Senior forward Keeshawn Jones (Middletown, N.Y.) sank the game-winning shot from the stripe with two seconds remaining on the clock to lead the Western Connecticut State University men's basketball team to a thrilling 74-73 win over 21st-ranked Keene State College in a Little East Conference battle on Saturday afternoon at Feldman Arena. The win was the eighth in a row for the Wolves, whose last loss was a 110-62 setback against the Owls on January 16.

Jones and classmate forward Cameron Gallon (York, Pa.) paced the hosts with 16 points apiece, while junior guard Tayejon Lynch (Cambria Heights, N.Y.) and senior forward Jourdan Belcher (Elmsford, N.Y.) chipped in with 12 and 11, respectively. Lynch also dished out a game-high five assists. Senior guard Octavio Brito (Lincoln, R.I.) led the Owls with game-highs of 26 points and nine rebounds before fouling out late in the game. Fifth-year guard Mason Jean Baptiste (Lynn, Mass.) contributed 15 points while sophomore forward Wesley Odiase (Dorchester, Mass.) recorded 12. The Wolves were highly efficient from three-point territory as they knocked down 58 percent (7-of-12) of their attempts, while visitors went 38 percent (11-of-29). It was close in the early moments before WestConn cranked out a 15-4 run midway through the first half on their way to a 37-25 advantage at the break.

The hosts widened the gap to the largest lead of the contest, 56-37, when sophomore guard C.J. Riley (Yonkers, N.Y.) scurried down the lane for a bucket with 12:54 left to play. He would finish with a game-high three steals. However, Keene State displayed why they are a force in the country as they erased the deficit, rallying to deadlock the count at 70-70 with 1:08 remaining. The Wolves showed their poise as Gallon nailed a stepback trifecta from the left wing to make it 73-70 with 43 ticks to go. After a timeout, the Owls quickly inbounded the ball and junior guard Mitch Shettles (New Albany, Miss.) sank a corner three-pointer to even the count at 73-73 with 24 seconds remaining. WestConn dribbled the ball for a last second shot when Jones was fouled near the baseline with two seconds left. He sank the second free throw and the Owls failed to get off a last second shot from half court, cementing the upset win for the Wolves.

"I am proud of our team and the strides they have made this season," said WestConn Head Coach Guy Rancourt. "From where we started to finding a way to win tonight speaks volumes about our guys."

With the victory, WestConn extended its win streak to eight, improving to 16-8 overall and 12-3 in league play. Keene State dropped to 19-4 while suffering their first LEC defeat, moving them to 13-1. It also marked Senior Day at WestConn as Gallon, Jones, Belcher, Kyle Marcello (Manorville, N.Y.), Jeremiah Williams (Brooklyn, N.Y) and Malik Cole (Brooklyn, N.Y.) were honored in the pre-game. The Wolves return to the court for their regular season finale at UMass Darmouth on Saturday. The LEC Postseason Championship Tournament will kick-off the following week with WestConn securing at least the No. 2 spot.