Panthers' late rally falls short in LEC setback 

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State University trimmed a 21-point margin down to single digits in the fourth quarter, but the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth stopped the Panthers' rally short to hold on for a 62-44 win in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball game at Foley Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

            The teams went back-and-forth in a contested first quarter with the Corsairs holding a 13-12 lead after the first ten minutes. UMD pulled away in the second quarter for a 33-19 lead at the break and extended the advantage 21 midway through the third. Plymouth State rallied and senior Chenysse Hill (Lynn, Mass.) sank a free throw to make it a nine-point game (48-39) with 4:32 remaining. That was as close as the Panthers would get, however, as UMD held on for the win.

            Plymouth State fall to 4-17 and 0-12 in the Little East, while UMass Dartmouth improves to 12-9 and 7-5 in league games.

            The Basics:

            Plymouth State 44, UMass Dartmouth 62

            Plymouth State (4-17, 0-12 LEC)

            UMass Dartmouth (12-9, 7-5 LEC)

            How it Happened.

• Hill gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead after nailing a midrange jumper two minutes into play.
• The Corsairs went ahead on a straight-on three-pointer from junior Meagan Donovan (Abington, Mass.) and a pair of free throws from sophomore Jordan Moretti (Johnston, R.I.) gave the visitors a 9-5 lead at the first media timeout.
• Senior Alex Ricard (Manchester, N.H.) hit from inside at the end of the shot clock to trim the margin to 13-12 at the end of the first.
• UMD used a 16-4 surge over the to open the second behind six points from junior Lauren Empey (Middleboro, Mass.) and senior Ashley Brown's (New Bedford, Mass.) three from the wing.
• PSU cut the deficit to ten on a Ricard free throw, but the Corsairs scored the final four points of the half to take a 33-19 lead into the break.
• Freshman Jalen Cook (Monkton, Vt.) nailed a three from the left corner, but UMass Dartmouth answered with eight straight points for a 43-22 lead after four minutes.
• The teams traded baskets to close out the third with the Corsairs leading 48-30.
• Plymouth State started the fourth with a 9-0 run to slice the deficit to single digits, 48-39, with 4:32 remaining, but that was as close as the Panthers would get.

            Inside the Numbers:

• Hill led the Panthers with 11 points, while Cook, Ricard and freshman Bella Earle (South Hadley, Mass.) each chipped in with nine.
• Ricard added a game-high 12 rebounds and freshman Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) grabbed six boards to go with five steals.
• Brown was impressive, totaling 17 points, eight boards, three assists and three steals, while Moretti finished just shy of a double-double with ten points and nine rebounds.
• UMD held a slight 41-39 edge on the glass.

            Up Next:

• Both teams are back in conference play on Wednesday (Feb. 12). PSU visits Southern Maine at 5:30 p.m., while the Corsairs host Keene State at 5:00 p.m.

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