(Box Score) 

            GORHAM, Maine -Sophomore Alicia Doucet (Manchester, N.H./Central) scored a game-high 17 points to pace four players in double figures as the Plymouth State University Panthers defeated the Regis College Pride, 72-65, in a first round game of the USM New Year's Classic at the Warren Hill Gymnasium.

            The Panthers got back on the winning track after dropping their final game of 2009 and improved their overall record to 9-1.  The Pride, coached by former USM standout Julie Plant, dropped their third straight game to slip to 6-5 overall.

            For Plymouth State, senior Kalie Judd (Peabody, Mass.) contributed 16 points, junior Amanda Kania (Manchester, N.H./West) added 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and senior Laura Kent (Bellingham, Mass.) chipped in 11 points and had a team-high 10 rebounds.  PSU's five starters combined to score 60 of the team's 72 points.

            Freshman Bianca Flores (Boston, Mass.) led the Pride coming off the bench to toss in 16 points.  Senior Jessica Page (Quincy, Mass.) had 15 points, a game-high 12 rebounds and three blocked shots, and junior Brittany White (Dorchester, Mass.) tossed in 13.

            Tied 48-48 midway through the second half, the Panthers used a 10-1 run to open a nine-point margin, then held off two Pride surges over the final seven minutes to claim the victory.  Judd ignited the run with a layup, followed by a Doucette jumper.  After nearly three scoreless minutes, Kania hit a jumper before White made one of two free throws for Regis.  Judd and Kent added baskets to give PSU a 58-49 lead with 8:29 to play.

            The Pride battled back with an 11-5 run to pull within three, 63-60, when White converted a layup with 4:04 to go.  The Panthers pushed the lead back up to six, 68-62, on a Doucet jumper, but sophomore Stephanie Wozmak (Auburn, N.H.) drilled a three-pointer to get the Pride back within three with 1:50 to play.  PSU iced the game converting 4 of 8 free throws over the final 1:19.

            In the opening half, Plymouth State built a 10-point lead, 35-25, before Regis responded with a 12-2 run over the final four minutes to go to the locker room tied 37-37.  Flores had a three-pointer, and a basket 11 seconds before halftime to spark the surge.

            Plymouth State will play the University of Maine Presque Isle on Monday (4:00 p.m.), followed by Regis tangling with the University of Southern Maine (6:00 p.m.). 

(Courtesy of Southern Maine Sports Information) 

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