Wyland's big night leads Panthers to non-conference win

            SALEM, Mass. – Sophomore Kayla Wyland (Melrose, Mass.) posted her first career double-double to lead the Plymouth State University women's basketball team past Salem State University, 70-50, in non-conference action Thursday night.

            Wyland paced the Panthers with career-highs of 15 points (on six-of-nine shooting) and 17 rebounds.  The Vikings fell despite a strong effort from senior Rachel Carter (Merrimack, N.H.), who led all scorers with 29 points while grabbing 16 rebounds of her own.

            The first half was highly contested as the two teams traded baskets on the way to eight lead changes.  Carter poured in 17 first-half points and her three-pointer gave Salem State an early 18-13 lead midway through the opening half, but Panther sophomore Ace Lawrence (Middletown, Conn.) scored eight straight points to give PSU a 23-20 advantage with just under six minutes left in the opening frame.

            A Wyland layup with three minutes remaining pushed the PSU lead to 29-24 before Salem State used an 8-2 run to regain the lead, 32-31, with less than a minute to go.  The Vikings had a chance to add to the lead in the final possession of the half, but a steal and pair of free throws by sophomore Savannah Miller (Smithtown, N.Y.) put the Panthers ahead 33-32 at the half.

           Plymouth State maintained a slight edge on the scoreboard over the first six minutes of the second half.  Another Carter long-ball cut the PSU advantage to 43-40 with 13:50 to play, but the Panthers responded with an 18-3 spurt over the next seven minutes to open up a commanding 61-43 lead.  PSU held the Vikings scoreless over 10 straight possessions during the stretch and limited the home team to just 6-of-38 (15.8%) shooting over the second half.

           Lawrence finished with 12 points for PSU, while senior Tiffany Lewis (Hillsboro, N.H.) added 10 points and eight rebounds.  Classmate Kelley Collins (Groveton, N.H.) chipped in with seven points and 10 rebounds.

           With the win Plymouth State stops a three-game slide and enters the semester break at an even 4-4.  The Panthers next play January 3rd in a Little East match-up at Eastern Connecticut State (1:00 p.m.).  Salem State will host Endicott College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

(With contributions from Salem State Sports Information)

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