PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University men's basketball team fell to the Western Connecticut State University Wolves, 57-53, in a Little East Conference (LEC) matchup at Foley Gymnasium in a Saturday matinee.
After trailing by ten points in the second half, Plymouth State climbed back to within one point with 33 seconds remaining and a chance to capture a late lead, but the go-ahead shot in the final minute of play wouldn't fall as the Wolves secured the conference victory at the free throw line.
Sophomore
Ivan Yen (Concord, N.H.) led all scorers with 17 points, while senior
Elijah Swanson (Meredith, N.H.) added a double-double performance, scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. Senior
Kevin Henry (Stratham, N.H.) brought down ten rebounds in the losing effort for the Panthers.
Plymouth State goes to 6-2 (1-1 LEC) on the season, while WestConn improves to 6-4 (2-1 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 53, WestConn 57
- Plymouth State (6-2, 1-1 LEC)
- WestConn (6-4, 2-1 LEC)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- Things started slow, as the Panthers found themselves down 6-3 with 15:32 left in the first half.
- Plymouth State started to find its stride, knocking down ten-straight points to take a 13-6 lead midway through the first half.
- The Wolves closed the gap to a one-possession game, 18-15, with 5:34 on the clock in the first.
- Plymouth State extended the margin to nine-points, 26-17, behind an 8-2 spurt over the next minute of play.
- WestConn scored the final eight points of the first half to close the gap to a narrow 30-29 PSU halftime lead.
- The Wolves came out fast to start the second half, using a 15-2 run to take a 44-35 lead with 12:16 left in regulation.
- WestConn maintained a ten-point margin, 49-39, with 8:17 on the clock.
- Plymouth State's defense came to life, keeping the Wolves from scoring for over a five-minute stretch as the team climbed back to a one-point deficit, 49-48, with 3:14 left.
- After being held scoreless for six minutes, a timely three-pointer from the Wolves put the team back out into a 52-48 lead with about two-and-a-half minutes on the clock.
- The Panthers had two chances to tie or go ahead in the final minute of play but came up short and PSU was forced to foul. The Wolves knocked down the key free throws to secure the win.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State shot 32.2% (19-of-59) from the floor and 8-of-29 (27.6%) from three.
- PSU held a 42-41 advantage on the boards, with a 13-10 margin on the offensive glass.
- The Panthers recorded 14 assists on 19 made field goals (73.7% rate).
- Each team committed 18 turnovers.
- Points in the paint went to WestConn, 34-20.
- Plymouth State has lost each of the last five games to the Wolves.
- The Panthers are 15-19 at home against Western Connecticut.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State faces the Keene State College Owls on Wednesday (Dec. 11) in a LEC clash at Spaulding Gymnasium. The opening tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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