BOSTON, Mass. – Junior
Jalen Cook (Monkton, Vt.) finished one point shy of a career high, while sophomore
Sabrina Vlahovic (New Hope, Pa.) ripped down a career best 17 rebounds, but the University of Massachusetts Boston used a big third quarter to get past Plymouth State University, 76-62, in Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball action at the Clark Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon.
Cook led all scorers with 24 points, while junior
Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) added 12 points of her own in the losing effort. Vlahovic recorded a double-double with 11 points and a career-high 17 rebounds for the Panthers.
The teams went back-and-forth throughout the first half, but the Beacons pulled away with a strong third quarter to build the first double-digit lead of the day. PSU outscored the hosts in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was ultimately too much to come back from.
Plymouth State dips to 1-8 (0-4 LEC), while UMass Boston improves to 3-7 and 2-2 in conference play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 62, UMass Boston 76
- Plymouth State (1-8, 0-4 LEC)
- UMass Boston (3-7, 2-2 LEC)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- Cook accounted for the Panthers' first nine points as PSU got out to a 9-2 lead with 7:49 left in the first quarter.
- UMB responded, going on a 9-3 run of its own to tie the score at 12-12 with 4:42 remaining.
- The Beacons held a narrow, 17-16 advantage at the end of the frame.
- Plymouth State went back in front, 30-27, with 3:34 left in the first half on Cook's three-pointer, but the Beacons used a 12-3 spurt to take a 39-33 advantage into the locker room.
- UMB turned up the defensive intensity to limit the Panthers to nine third-quarter points and extend the lead to 55-42 heading into the final quarter.
- Plymouth State had a strong fourth quarter scoring 20 points, but the Beacons held off the rally for the 76-62 win.
By the Numbers:
- Cook has reached 25 points twice in her career. Two of her three highest scoring games have come against the Beacons.
- Vlahovic easily set a personal best on the boards, as her 17 rebounds were six more than her previous high. She has reached double-digit rebounds each of the last three games.
- The Panthers went 23-of-60 (38.3%) from the floor and 13-of-25 (52.0%) from the line.
- PSU held a 35-32 advantage on the glass, including a 17-9 edge on the offensive boards.
- Plymouth State scored 30 points in the paint.
Up Next:
- The Panthers travel to LEC foe Castleton University on Wednesday (Jan. 12) for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.
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