PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior Kyler Bosse (Manchester, N.H.) led all scorers with 24 points and Plymouth State University fought hard, but NVU-Johnson topped the Panthers, 80-66, in a season-opening men's basketball game at Foley Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
 
The Panthers found themselves trailing by just two points in the final minutes of the first half, but a 10-0 run that ran into the start of the second half gave the Badgers an advantage that PSU could not come back from.
 
Bosse led all players with 24 points, while junior Kevin Henry (Stratham, N.H.) added 14 of his own. Sophomore Elijah Swanson (Meredith, N.H.) added 10 points for the Panthers in the losing effort.
 
NVU-Johnson was extra motivated, having lost to PSU by 55 points last season.
 
Plymouth State starts its season 0-1, while the Badgers begin 1-0.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 66, NVU-Johnson 80
  • Plymouth State (0-1)
  • NVU-Johnson (1-0)

Top Performers:

• Kyler Bosse (24 pts, 5 reb)
• Kevin Henry (14 pts, 8 reb)
• Elijah Swanson (10 pts, 3-6 fg, 8 reb)

How it Happened:

• The opening half started back-and-forth with neither team leading by more than three points. The teams found themselves locked at 18-18 with 11:16 to play in the first.
• The Badgers opened up a six-point lead, 28-22, with 5:28 to go until halftime.
• Plymouth State cut the margin to two, but the visitors scored the final six points of the half to take a 36-28 lead into the locker room.
• The pressure continued to open the second half, with the Badgers extending the advantage to 14 points, 47-33, on a fast break with 15:27 to go in the frame.
• The Panthers were able to get as close as nine points in the second, but the visitors pulled away to close out the contest.

By the Numbers:

• The Panthers went 23-of-76 (30.3%) from the floor and 5-of-27 (18.5%) from distance, while the Badgers shot over 50% from the floor.
• Plymouth State had a convincing 21-10 advantage on the offensive boards but was edged, 46-41, in total rebounds.
• The offensive rebounding gave PSU a 12-6 edge in second chance points.
• Plymouth State had 21 more field goal attempts than the Badgers' 56.
• Bosse recorded his fifth career game of more than 20 points.
• Plymouth State dips to 19-2 overall against the Badgers.

  
Up Next:

• The Panthers will play in the Jim Beaudry Classic hosted by UNE this weekend. PSU opens the tournament on Friday (Nov. 11) at 7:00 p.m. against UMaine Presque Isle, before facing the host Nor'easters on Saturday (Nov. 12).

 
 
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