DANBURY, Conn. – Senior
Torran Bosworth (Springfield, Mass.) dropped a career-high 28 points, including eight three-pointers, but Western Connecticut State University held off a late charge from Plymouth State University to top the Panthers, 92-77, in a Little East Conference (LEC) men's basketball game at Stephen Feldman Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Plymouth State stayed within striking distance for much of the first half, trailing by just two, 21-19, with eight minutes left. The Wolves went on a scoring spree to create separation, taking a 47-33 lead into halftime.
Bosworth drained a triple to spark an 18-4 surge as Plymouth State clawed back in the second half. Another Bosworth three-pointer, coupled with a pair of free throws, cut the deficit to 71-62 with seven minutes remaining, but that was as close as the Panthers would get.
Plymouth State enters the winter break at 4-6 (0-2 LEC), while the Wolves are 5-4 (1-2 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 77, WestConn 92
- Plymouth State (4-6, 0-2 LEC)
- WestConn (5-4, 1-2 LEC)
Top Performers:
- Plymouth State
- Torran Bosworth (28 pts, 8-18 3pt, 2 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl)
- Brady Hulland (13 pts, 4-9 fg, 4 reb, 2 ast)
- Asante' Aurora (13 pts, 2 reb)
- Eli Pockette (8 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast)
How it Happened:
- Sophomore Brady Hulland (Amston, Conn.) hit a three-pointer as PSU jumped to an early 8-4 lead in the first two minutes.
- The Wolves responded with a 13-0 run to seize control, though Plymouth State kept within striking distance.
- Freshman Asante' Aurora (New Bedford, Mass.) scored consecutive baskets to trim the deficit to 21-19 with eight minutes left in the first half.
- Another WestConn run pushed the margin to 32-19 three minutes later.
- Senior Yansel Reyes (Manchester, N.H.) and junior Eli Pockette (Rutland, Vt.) connected from long range to pull PSU within 39-31 with under two minutes remaining in the half, but the Wolves closed on an 8-2 run to carry a 47-33 lead into halftime.
- WestConn maintained a comfortable margin for most of the second half until PSU rallied. Bosworth's three-pointer sparked an 18-4 run over four minutes, cutting the deficit to 71-62 with seven minutes left. Bosworth had eight points in the stretch.
- The Wolves regained control, extending the lead to double digits, and Plymouth State was unable to close the gap down the stretch.
By the Numbers:
- Bosworth posted career highs of 28 points and eight three-pointers.
- Hulland, Aurora and Reyes each scored in double figures. Hulland and Aurora added 13 points apiece, while Reyes contributed 11.
- WestConn shot 56.0% from the field, including 7-of-10 from three-point range..
- Plymouth State made 16 of 47 three-point attempts (34.0%).
- WestConn outscored PSU 29-15 from the free throw line and had 17 more attempts.
- PSU held an 11-10 advantage on the offensive glass, but WestConn led in total rebounds.
- PSU's last road win in the series came in December 2021.
Up Next:
- The Panthers return to action on Jan. 3 with a home tilt against Norwich. Opening tip is set for noon.
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