PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team dropped a 73-65 decision to New England College in a non-conference matchup at Foley Gymnasium on Thursday evening.
 
After managing just a single field goal in the opening quarter, the Panthers steadily chipped away at the early deficit. Plymouth State clawed to within four points in the final minute, but the comeback ultimately fell short.
 
Four Panthers reached double figures, led by junior Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.) with 13 points. Senior Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.) and classmate Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.) added 12 points apiece, while senior Elli Cox (Deerfield, N.H.) chipped in 10 points in the losing effort.
 
Plymouth State falls to 5-1 on the season, while the Pilgrims improve to 2-3.
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 65, NEC 73
  • Plymouth State (5-1)
  • NEC (2-3)

Top Performers:

• Plymouth State
  • Ashley Stephens (13 pts, 3-7 fg, 1-1 3pt, 6-8 ft, 6 reb)
  • Sophie George (12 pts, 4-9 3pt)
  • Hailey Malozzi (12 pts, 7 reb)
  • Elli Cox (10 pts, 3-6 fg, 6 reb, 3 ast)

How it Happened:

• Plymouth State was held to just one field goal in the opening quarter and trailed 20-7 after ten minutes.
• NEC pushed the lead to 19 (33-14) with 3:02 left in the second quarter.
• The Panthers scored the final five points of the half to cut the deficit to 37-22.
• PSU opened the third quarter with back-to-back threes, trimming the margin to 39-28 just one minute in.
• The Panthers continued the push, getting within six (44-38) at the 3:11 mark.
• NEC answered with a 10-4 spurt to close the quarter and carry a 54-41 lead into the fourth.
• Plymouth State opened the final frame with four straight points to bring the gap back to single digits (54-45).
• A 9-2 run later in the quarter pulled PSU within 62-56 midway through the fourth.
• The Panthers made it a four-point game (69-65) with 1:28 remaining, but NEC's three-point play with 37 seconds left sealed the outcome.

By the Numbers:

• PSU shot 50.0% (7-of-14) in the fourth quarter.
• The teams combined for 63 free-throw attempts.
• NEC held a 44-30 rebounding advantage, including 14-11 on the offensive glass.
• The Pilgrims led by as many as 20 points in the first half.
• Bench points favored NEC, 29-21.
• The Panthers recorded 11 steals.
• PSU dominated points off turnovers, 27-8.
• Plymouth State leads the all-time series, 16-5.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State heads to Rivier University for a non-conference tilt with the Raiders on Tuesday (Nov. 25). Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.

 
 
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