DANBURY, Conn. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team was defeated by Western Connecticut State University, 86-65, in a Little East Conference (LEC) game at the Stephen Feldman Arena on Saturday afternoon.
 
After falling behind by double-digits in the first quarter, PSU was able to get as close as six points but the Panthers could not stop the Wolves, who seemed not to miss a shot all game. WestConn, which averages 60 points per game on the season, reached that threshold midway through the third quarter while shooting close to 60% from the floor.
 
Senior Jalen Cook (Monkton, Vt.) led all scorers with a career-high 28 points, while classmate Sarah Sweet (Narragansett, R.I.) scored 11 points of her own. Freshman Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.) rounded out the leading scorers for the Panthers with 14 points in the losing effort.
 
Plymouth State falls to 5-11 (0-9 LEC) on the season, while WestConn moves to 12-4 and 5-3 in the Little East.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 65, WestConn 86
  • Plymouth State (5-11, 0-9 LEC)
  • WestConn (12-4, 5-3 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Plymouth State
  • Jalen Cook (28 pts, 9-18 fg, 3-7 3pt, 5 reb, 4 stl)
  • Sophie George (14 pts, 3-5 fg, 2-3 3pt)
  • Sarah Sweet (11 pts, 4-9 fg, 4 ast)

How it Happened:

• The Panthers were held without a field goal until 2:58 left in the first as the Wolves raced out to a 17-2 lead.
• PSU scored the final nine points of the first to slash the margin to 21-11 after one.
• The Panthers to go within five points, 21-16, with 8:57 left before halftime.
• WestConn pushed the lead back to 12, 30-18, with 5:59 left on the clock in the second.
• The hosts knocked down a last-second three to close the half with a 43-27 advantage.
• WestConn took a 20-point lead, 47-27, with 8:59 in the third.
• PSU posted a strong offensive quarter, scoring 19 points in the frame, but still trailed 68-46.
• WestConn scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to squash any hopes of a Panthers' comeback, though Plymouth State put up another 19-point quarter to score 65 points for the second straight game.

By the Numbers:

• The Panthers went 19-of-48 (39.6%) from the floor and 7-of-22 (31.8%) from three.
• WestConn outrebounded the Panthers, 39-20, including 13-6 on the offensive glass.
• PSU had 11 steals and scored 17 points off turnovers.
• The Wolves owned the interior, outscoring PSU by a 32-12 margin in the paint.
• Cook's 28 points were the most by a Panther since Jess Conant scored 29 against Salem State during the 2017-18 season.
• WestConn has won three straight and eight-of-nine meetings.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State squares off against rival Keene State on Wednesday (Jan. 25). Tip off at Foley Gymnasium is set for 5:30 p.m.

 
 
  Read Full Article