PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Jalen Cook (Bristol, Vt.) matched a career high with 25 points, but Plymouth State University fell to Rhode Island College, 73-43, in a season-opening Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball game at Foley Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. The contest was PSU's first home intercollegiate competition in 329 days.
RIC led throughout, though Cook's back-to-back three-pointers late in the second quarter kept the Panthers close. PSU trailed 38-24 at the half, but the Anchorwomen pulled away in the third quarter to pick up the win.
Plymouth State drops to 0-1 (0-1 LEC), while Rhode Island College remains unbeaten at 3-0 (3-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 43, Rhode Island College 73
- Plymouth State (0-1, 0-1 LEC)
- Rhode Island College (3-0, 3-0 LEC)
Top Performers:
- Plymouth State
- Rhode Island College
- Sophia Guerrier (14 pts, 9 reb, 5 asst)
- Willcia McBorrough (12 pts, 5 reb, 2 blk)
How it Happened:
- The Anchorwomen built a 17-6 advantage after the first quarter. Sophomore Autumn Nelson (Weare, N.H.) scored all six of PSU's points on driving layups.
- Nelson got to the basket again to open the second quarter, but RIC extended the lead to 15.
- Cook hit from long range on consecutive possessions to trim the margin to 29-22 with 2:28 left in the half, but the visitors went 4-of-5 from the field the rest of the way and junior Maire Gallagher (Worcester, Mass.) banked in a triple at the buzzer to give the Anchorwomen a 38-24 lead at the intermission.
- RIC took advantage of its interior strength to outscore the Panthers, 24-6, in the third.
- Cook caught fire in the final ten minutes, making 5-of-6 from the floor, including all three of her attempts from distance, but the margin was too big to overcome.
By the Numbers:
- Cook's only other 25-point game came in the Panthers' season finale last Feb. 22 against UMass Boston. She also sank five three-pointers in that contest.
- The Anchorwomen held a slight 41-35 advantage on the glass.
- PSU went 12-of-28 (42.8%) from the floor in the even-numbered quarters.
- RIC has won each of the last five matchups.
Up Next:
- The Panthers head to in-state rival Keene State next Saturday (Feb. 6) for a noon tip-off.
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