DANBURY, Conn. – The Plymouth State University men's basketball team fell to Western Connecticut State University, 106-83, in a Little East Conference (LEC) contest at Stephen Feldman Arena on Saturday afternoon.
 
Plymouth State knocked down a school-record 18 three-pointers in the contest, but the Wolves' explosive offense was too much to overcome. WestConn, which is receiving votes in this week's D3hoops.com national poll, has lost just once this winter, falling to nationally ranked Keene State.
 
Junior Alex Dean (Reading, Mass.) had a huge game, drilling six triples for his 18 points, while classmate Kyler Bosse (Manchester, N.H.) scored 17 points of his own. Senior Giorgi Tsiklauri (Brooklyn, N.Y.) recorded 15 points for the Panthers in the losing effort.
 
Plymouth State falls to 8-10 on the season and 1-8 in LEC play, while WestConn improves to 15-1 and 7-1 in the LEC.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 83, WestConn 106
  • Plymouth State (8-10, 1-8 LEC)
  • WestConn (15-1, 7-1 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Alex Dean (18 pts, 6-11 3pt)
• Kyler Bosse (17 pts, 6-12 fg, 3-5 3pt, 7 reb)
• Giorgi Tsiklauri (15 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast)

How it Happened:

• The Panthers started hot from deep, knocking down three straight three-pointers to take an early 9-2 lead just 1:35 into play.
• WestConn responded by scoring eight unanswered points to take a 10-9 lead with 16:45 left in the opening half.
• Behind an 11-0 run, the Wolves expanded the lead to 31-17 with 12:04 left in the half.
• Plymouth State got no closer than six points in the first half, as the Wolves maintained a 14-point advantage at the break, 52-38.
• WestConn opened the second half with an 11-3 run to go up 63-41 after four minutes.
• The Wolves continued to bring high pressure, keeping PSU from whittling into the deficit.
• A 21-2 run by the hosts put the game out of reach with just over seven minutes left to play.

By the Numbers:

• The Panthers went 29-of-65 (44.6%) from the floor and 18-of-39 (46.2%) from deep.
• WestConn outrebounded the Panthers 53-32 overall, including 24-9 on the offensive glass.
• Plymouth State attempted just nine free throws to the Wolves' 34.
• The 18 made three-pointers sets a new school record, surpassing the previous mark of 17 set in a game against Castleton University during the 2008-09 season.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State hosts #4 Keene State at Foley Gymnasium on Wednesday (Jan. 25). Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

 
 
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