PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.) got to the basket to give Plymouth State University a one-point lead with three seconds to play, but Vermont State University Castleton drained a three-pointer off an inbounds play to steal a 63-61 win in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball game at Foley Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
The momentum swung back-and-forth throughout much of the contest. PSU would build a lead, only to have the Spartans counter with a surge of their own. Plymouth State led by as many as 14 points, 28-14, in the second quarter, but the advantage was whittled down to 32-30 by halftime.
Things stayed tight throughout the second half. Malozzi converted from inside to give PSU a 59-58 lead with 1:08 left, but the visitors sank a jumper to go back into the lead with 21 seconds to go. Plymouth State worked the clock and Malozzi got to the basket again for a 61-60 advantage with just three seconds on the clock. VTSU Castleton used a timeout to advance the ball, then drilled a straight away three off the inbounds pass to steal the win.
Plymouth State slips to 3-10 (0-5 LEC), while the Spartans are 5-9 and 1-4 in league play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 61, VTSU Castleton 63
- Plymouth State (3-10, 0-5 LEC)
- VTSU Castleton (5-9, 1-4 LEC)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- Plymouth State started strong in the first quarter with a 10-2 opening run. Junior Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.) drilled a three-pointer early and a triple from classmate Raegan Peck (Dudley, Mass.) capped the run. Despite a late push by the Spartans, PSU closed the quarter with Peck's lay in for a 21-14 lead after one.
- The Panthers extended the lead early in the second as George hit from distance again, and PSU widened the gap to 28-14 through the first three minutes of action, but the visitors charged back. An interior bucket cut PSU's lead to two, 30-28, and the teams traded baskets in the final two minutes as Plymouth State nursed a 32-30 lead at the break.
- The Panthers extended the gap to 37-32 early in the third, but Castleton responded and back-to-back three-pointers found the visitors ahead, 40-37, nearing the midpoint of the frame. The Spartans would carry a one-point advantage, 45-44, into the final period.
- The visitors would push the lead to six, but sophomore Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.) hit a free throw and graduate student Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) laid one in before a three from graduate student Sabrina Vlahovic (New Hope, Pa.) re-tied the score at 50-50 with seven minutes left.
- Malozzi's basket with 1:08 to go gave PSU a 59-58 advantage, but the Spartans converted a jumper to regain the lead with 21 seconds left. Malozzi had the answer again, driving through the paint to make it 61-60 with just three seconds to play, but Castleton hit a game-winning three-pointer to secure the win.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State held a 41-38 edge on the boards and snagged 18 offensive rebounds.
- PSU turned 12 Spartans' turnovers into 19 points and owned a sizable 19-6 advantage in bench points.
- The Panthers fired 20 more shots in the game.
- The contest featured nine ties and ten lead changes.
- The Spartans hold a narrow 19-16 edge in the series. The teams split a pair of games last year, with each team winning on the road.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State is home for another league game on Thursday (Jan. 16) for a 5:00 p.m. clash with UMass Boston.
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