HENNIKER, N.H. – The Plymouth State University men's basketball team opened its 2025-26 campaign with a convincing 96-56 win over New England College in a non-conference matchup at Bridges Gym on Friday night.
 
After NEC tied the game at 9-9 just five minutes into the first half, the Plymouth State defense clamped down, holding the Pilgrims without a field goal for more than 12 minutes. The Panthers used a 26-point halftime advantage to cruise to their first victory of the season.
 
Thirteen Panthers got into the scoring column, led by senior Yansel Reyes (Manchester, N.H.) with 17 points. Junior Andrew Perry (South Berwick, Maine) made a memorable impact off the bench, finishing with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting in just nine minutes.
 
Junior Eli Pockette (Rutland, Vt.) added 13 points, while freshman Keegan Martinez (Belmont, N.H.) was perfect from the floor with 11 points. Senior Torran Bosworth (Springfield, Mass.) rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points in the winning effort.
 
Plymouth State starts the season 1-0, while NEC falls to 0-1.
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 96, NEC 56
  • Plymouth State (1-0)
  • NEC (0-1)

Top Performers:

• Yansel Reyes (17 pts, 5-7 fg, 3-5 3pt)
• Andrew Perry (15 pts, 5-6 fg, 2-3 3pt)
• Eli Pockette (13 pts, 3-6 3pt, 7 reb, 5 ast)
• Keegan Martinez (11 pts, 5-5 fg, 1-1 ft)
• Torran Bosworth (10 pts)

How it Happened:

• NEC knocked down its first three-pointer of the season just 10 seconds into regulation as part of an early 7-3 lead.
• The teams were tied at 9-9 with 14:54 left in the first half.
• Plymouth State erupted for 22 unanswered points to take a 31-9 lead midway through the half.
• The Panthers' defense kept NEC from recording a field goal for more than 12 minutes, extending the margin to 41-17 with 2:50 left before halftime.
• Plymouth State continued to pull away in the second half, doubling up the Pilgrims, 70-35, with 10:57 remaining.
• NEC couldn't find answers on either end as the Panthers cruised to their first win of the season.

By the Numbers:

• Plymouth State shot 37-of-68 (54.4%) from the floor and 13-of-29 (44.8%) from three.
• The Panthers held a narrow 37-36 edge on the glass.
• PSU dominated points off turnovers, 29-3.
• Bench points favored the Panthers, 45-20.
• PSU owned a 40-16 advantage in points in the paint.
• Plymouth State improves to 22-5 against the Pilgrims dating back to 1986, winning each of the last four meetings.

 
Up Next:

• PSU visits VTSU Johnson on Tuesday (Nov. 11) for a 5:30 p.m. clash with the Badgers.

 
 
  Read Full Article