PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team defeated the Vermont State University Lyndon Hornets, 69-63, in a non-conference matchup at Foley Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
 
The Panthers opened the season with five straight wins for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. Plymouth State forced 22 turnovers and converted them into 22 team points, which proved to be a major factor in the narrow victory.
 
Senior Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.) and freshman Macy Swormstedt (Laconia, N.H.) led the Panthers with 16 points apiece, while junior Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.) added nine points in the winning effort.
 
Plymouth State improves to 5-0 on the year, while VTSU Lyndon drops to 3-1.
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 69, VTSU Lyndon 63
  • Plymouth State (5-0)
  • VTSU Lyndon (3-1)

Top Performers:

• Plymouth State
  • Hailey Malozzi (16 pts, 5-8 fg, 6-6 ft, 6 reb, 4 stl)
  • Macy Swormstedt (16 pts, 4-8 fg, 2-4 3pt, 6-6 ft, 6 ast, 3 stl)
  • Ashley Stephens (9 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl)

How it Happened:

• The Panthers held a 9-6 lead after a low-scoring first quarter.
• PSU opened the second quarter on a 6-3 burst to extend the lead to 15-9 with 7:17 remaining.
• The Hornets answered on back-to-back possessions to cut the margin to 15-14, forcing a Plymouth State timeout.
• The Panthers responded with six straight points to regain control, 21-14, midway through the frame.
• VTSU Lyndon countered with an 11-2 run to take its first lead of the night, 25-23.
• Plymouth State held the Hornets without a field goal for the remainder of the half and carried a 30-27 lead into the break.
• PSU tightened up defensively in the third, using a 9-1 run to push the margin to 41-32 with 5:50 left.
• A last-second jumper from Stephens sent the Panthers into the fourth with a double-digit lead.
• The Hornets opened the final quarter with a 13-3 run to pull within 52-51 with 5:23 left.
• Swormstedt and Stephens took over, combining for nine points across the next 90 seconds to restore a two-possession lead (61-55).
• Forced to foul late, VTSU Lyndon watched PSU close out the game at the line, as the Panthers sank eight free throws in the final 90 seconds to secure their fifth straight win.

By the Numbers:

• Swormstedt and Malozzi combined to go 12-of-12 from the free throw line; PSU finished 16-of-17 (94.1%).
• The Hornets held a 49-45 edge on the glass.
• VTSU Lyndon also finished with a 19-17 advantage in offensive rebounds.
• Plymouth State's bench outscored the Hornets, 17-6.
• PSU dominated points off turnovers, 22-9.
• The Panthers registered 14 steals.
• Plymouth State matched its win total from last season (5).
• PSU now leads the all-time series, 16-6, dating back to 1987.

 
Up Next:

• The Panthers close out their three-game homestand on Thursday (Nov. 20) as New England College comes to Foley Gymnasium for a 5 p.m. tip-off.

 
 
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