PAWTUCKET, R.I.--Defending Little East Conference tournament champions Keene State College were selected to finish second in a poll of the league's coaches, it was announced today.

Keene State received 46 points and one first place vote.   Nationally ranked No. 18 UMass Dartmouth was picked to finish first with 56 points and the remaining seven first place votes.

The Owls were 21-8 in 2016-17, winning their first ever LEC tournament title and reaching the NCAA tournament for the third time in school history.  Keene State returns All-LEC senior guard Sandi Purcell (14.4 ppg, 33.2% from three), as well as junior guard Emily McPadden (9.6 ppg) and sophomore forward Kenzie Bennett.

Keene State opens the season at Westfield State on November 15 at 6 p.m.