NASHUA, N.H. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team returned to the win column with a decisive 68-56 win over Rivier University in a non-conference matchup at Muldoon Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
Senior
Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.) and freshman
Macy Swormstedt (Laconia, N.H.) both hit three-pointers in the final minutes of an evenly played first quarter to tie the game at 17-17. The Panthers clamped down defensively and used a series of extended runs to create separation. PSU opened the second frame with ten unanswered points and never relinquished control – building a double-digit lead by halftime and maintaining a steady advantage the rest of the way.
Nine different Panthers scored as Plymouth State showcased its depth and balanced attack. Junior
Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.) led all Panthers with 14 points, while senior
Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.), freshman
Alex White (Derry, N.H.) and Swormstedt each contributed nine points to the winning effort.
Plymouth State improves to 6-1, while Rivier remains winless at 0-7.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 68, Rivier 56
- Plymouth State (6-1)
- Rivier (0-7)
Top Performers:
- Plymouth State
- Ashley Stephens (14 pts, 4-7 fg, 5 reb, 3 stl)
- Macy Swormstedt (9 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl)
- Hailey Malozzi (9 pts, 3-4 fg, 3-3 ft)
- Alex White (9 pts, 3-5 fg, 1-1 3pt, 2-2 ft, 6 reb)
How it Happened:
- The teams were tied 7-7 with 7:21 to go in the opening quarter.
- Rivier used an 8-2 run to take a 15-9 lead with 4:17 remaining in the first.
- Back-to-back PSU threes late in the quarter pulled the Panthers even, 17-17, after ten minutes.
- Plymouth State opened the second with ten straight points to build a 27-17 advantage before Rivier converted its first field goal with 2:49 left in the half.
- The Panthers closed the quarter with a bucket to take a 34-23 lead into halftime.
- PSU continued its strong play in the third, stretching the margin to 45-31 at the 5:52 mark.
- After Rivier trimmed the lead to 10, the Panthers responded with the final ten points of the quarter for a commanding 55-35 advantage.
- Rivier outscored PSU in the fourth quarter, but the Panthers' lead proved insurmountable as they cruised to the non-conference victory.
By the Numbers:
- PSU shot 23-of-55 (41.8%) from the field and 6-of-16 (37.5%) from three.
- The Panthers held a 39-33 rebounding advantage, including an 8-7 edge on the offensive glass.
- Plymouth State forced 22 turnovers and recorded 14 steals.
- PSU's bench outscored Rivier's reserves 27-0.
- Plymouth State held a 30-26 advantage in points in the paint.
- PSU has won seven of the last eight meetings and leads the all-time series, 17-4.
Up Next:
- The Panthers host Colby-Sawyer for a 5 p.m. tipoff next Wednesday (Dec. 3).
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