PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State University trimmed a 20-point first quarter deficit to 11 by halftime, but a fast-paced Suffolk University team used a strong second half to top the Panthers, 70-43, in a non-conference women's basketball game at Foley Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore
Jessica Ruiz (Lynn, Mass.) led the Panthers in scoring with eight points and four rebounds, while juniors
Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) and
Autumn Nelson (Weare, N.H.) each scored seven points in the losing effort.
After the Rams got out to a 28-8 first quarter lead, Plymouth State chipped away in the second to pull within 11, 35-24, at the half. Suffolk used a 16-6 spurt in the third quarter to take control and the advantage was too much for PSU to come back from.
Plymouth State falls to 1-3 on the season, while the Rams improve to 4-1.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 43, Suffolk 70
- Plymouth State (1-3)
- Suffolk (4-1)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- The Rams took an early lead, going on an 16-2 run in the opening seven minutes of action.
- Suffolk extended the margin, taking a twenty-point advantage at the end of one, 28-8.
- PSU cut the lead to fifteen, starting the second quarter on the 9-4 run of their own.
- Good fast-break defense by the Panthers stymied Suffolk throughout the second, leaving the Rams to only seven second quarter points, and cutting the Ram advantage to 11, 35-24, at the half.
- The teams traded baskets early in the third quarter, with Salzillo's jumper cutting the Suffolk lead to ten, 40-30, after two minutes.
- The Rams took control from there, using a 16-6 surge to go back up by 20, 56-36.
- Plymouth State was unable to cut into the deficit in the fourth.
By the Numbers:
- The Panthers went 17-of-56 (30.4%) from the floor and 8-of-12 (66.7%) from the free throw line.
- Suffolk out-rebounded PSU 45-34.
- The Rams took 29 attempts from the free throw line, hitting 69.0% (20-29).
- Suffolk had a 14-2 advantage in fast break points.
- Plymouth State has lost two in a row to Suffolk dating back to the 2019-20 season.
Up Next:
- The Panthers open Little East Conference play against Western Connecticut State University at the Westside Athletic Complex in two weeks (Dec. 4). Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.
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