PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Playing on back-to-back nights and for the third time in four days, the Plymouth State University women's basketball team fell to the University of Southern Maine, 74-28, in Little East Conference (LEC) action in Foley Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.
 
A slow start for the Panthers left them down double digits after the first quarter. The teams played even through the second quarter, but a suffocating Southern Maine defense clamped down in the second half to stifle any thoughts of a comeback.
 
Sophomore Jessica Ruiz (Lynn, Mass.) led the Panthers with 10 points, while junior Jalen Cook (Monkton, Vt.) was just short of a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Lauren Keller (Fort Morgan, Colo.) added four points and five boards in the setback.
 
Plymouth State slips to 1-13 (0-9 LEC) on the season, while Southern Maine improves to 5-10 (4-2 LEC).
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 28, Southern Maine 74
  • Plymouth State (1-13, 0-9 LEC)
  • Southern Maine (5-10, 4-2 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Jessica Ruiz (10 pts, 6 reb)
• Jalen Cook (9 pts, 9 reb)
• Lauren Keller (4 pts, 5 reb)

How it Happened:

• The Huskies opened the first quarter by taking an 8-2 advantage with 4:15 to play.
• USM extended its lead to 12, 16-4, to finish out the first.
• The Panthers used a 9-2 run to cut the margin to eight points, 21-13, midway through the second, but the Huskies responded with a run of their own to lead 32-17 at the half.
• Southern Maine's defense limited the Panthers' chances in the second half as the Huskies pulled away for the win.

By the Numbers:

• USM held a slight 44-39 edge on the boards.
• The whistle seemed to go the way of the visitors, as the Huskies attempted 22 free throws to PSU's four.
• Plymouth State scored nearly 60% of its points in the paint.

 
Up Next:

• The Panthers continue LEC play on Saturday (Feb. 5) when they host the University of Massachusetts Boston at 1:00 p.m.

 
 
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