16 Panthers score in non-conference win

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior Jack Preston (Nashua, N.H.) finished with a team-high 10 points as 16 different Panthers scored in Plymouth State University's 73-54 non-conference men's basketball win over Framingham State University at Foley Gymnasium on Tuesday.

            PSU quickly built a double-digit lead in the first half.  All 19 players logged minutes as the Panthers won their third straight game.  Plymouth State moves to 5-2 with the victory, while the Rams fall to 2-5.

THE BASICS

  Foley Gymnasium, Plymouth, N.H. – Tues., Dec. 6, 2016

  Plymouth State 73, Framingham State 54

  Records:

  Plymouth State 5-2 (1-0 LEC); Framingham State 2-5 (0-0 MASCAC)

PSU LEADERS

  * Preston … 10 points, six rebounds

  * Freshman Jaylen Leroy (Manchester, N.H.) … nine points (3-of-4 three-point range), two rebounds, two assists

  * Junior Brian Boulay (Keene, N.H.) … eight points, three assists, two rebounds

  * Sophomore Mike Osgood (Nashua, N.H.) … seven points, eight rebounds

  * Senior Ernie Johnson (Springfield, Mass.) … two points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals

BY THE NUMBERS

  * Plymouth State shot 46.2% (24-of-52) from the field, while holding the Rams to 18-of-57 (31.6%).

  * The Panthers shot it well from downtown again, making 9-of-18 triples.  Leroy led the way with three long balls, while Boulay added a pair.

  * PSU moved the ball well, tallying 17 assists on its 24 made baskets.

  * The Plymouth State bench outscored its counterparts 44-16.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half:

  * The Panthers opened up an early 11-3 lead through the game's first five minutes.  Boulay had two three-pointers in the run, and Leroy added his first triple.

  * PSU used an 11-0 run to push the lead to 22-6 after 8:18.  Preston had seven points in the run, with senior Nick MacGregor (Rochester, N.H.) adding four.

  * Another three from Leroy plus a free throw from Osgood pushed the lead to 37-19 with 2:16 left in the half.

  * The Rams closed the half by scoring five of the final eight points for a 40-24 Panther lead at the half.

Second Half:

  * PSU opened the second half with five straight points, including a triple from junior Collin Sullivan (Plymouth, N.H.).

  * Freshman Nathan Hale (Nashua, N.H.) got into the action, burying a jumper to give PSU a 52-33 lead with 14:33 left to play.

  * The Panthers used a 13-5 run to increase the lead to 65-38 with 8:36 left in the game.  Sophomore Ryan Smith (Melrose, Mass.) and MacGregor accounted for the final five points of the run, giving PSU its largest lead of the game.

  * PSU maintained a 20-point lead as sophomore Sean Jany (Westbrook, Maine) and classmate Jim Lynch (Chelmsford, Mass.) each hit 1-of-2 free throws late in the half.

  * Sophomore Liam Densmore (Portland, Maine) capped the scoring with the Panthers' ninth three-pointer, securing the 73-54 win.

NEXT UP

  * The Panthers remain at home for another non-conference game on Thursday.  PSU hosts Thomas College (Maine) with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m.

  * Framingham State is also back in action on Thursday.  The Rams will face Clark University for a 7:00 p.m. game.

-- 30 --