DANBURY, Conn. – Senior Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.) poured in a career-high 26 points, including a pair of clutch free throws in the final seconds of overtime, as Plymouth State University outlasted Western Connecticut State University, 73-72, in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball thriller at Stephen Feldman Arena on Saturday.
 
George caught fire early, drilling three straight three-pointers to spark an 11-3 Panthers lead in the opening quarter. WestConn answered with an 11-3 run of its own to knot the score, and neither team would lead by more than five points the rest of the way.
 
Plymouth State carried a 37-34 advantage into halftime, but back-to-back three-pointers gave the Wolves a 51-48 edge heading into to the fourth quarter. WestConn maintained its three-point cushion until George buried her sixth triple of the night to tie the game at 61-61 with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. The Wolves went back up by three with an old-fashioned three-point play, but PSU used three free throws down the stretch to head to overtime tied at 64-64.
 
The Wolves opened the extra session with a three-pointer, but junior Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.) and George responded with back-to-back baskets to the Panthers back in front. Stephens, George, and senior Elli Cox (Deerfield, N.H.) all connected from the free-throw line in the closing moments, highlighted by George's two makes with 3.3 seconds remaining to give PSU a 73-70 lead.
 
Following a timeout to advance the ball, WestConn converted a midrange jumper just before the final horn to account for the final score.
 
Plymouth State closes the fall semester portion of its schedule at 8-2 overall and 1-1 in LEC play, while the Wolves drop to 3-6 (0-3 LEC).
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 73, WestConn 72 (OT)
  • Plymouth State (8-2, 1-1 LEC)
  • WestConn (3-6, 0-3 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Plymouth State
  • Sophie George (26 pts, 9-15 fg, 6-11 3pt, 5 reb, 3 ast)
  • Ashley Stephens (17 pts, 6-13 fg, 5-8 ft, 7 reb, 5 blk)
  • Elli Cox (9 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl)
  • Genna Bolduc (9 pts, 6 reb)

How it Happened:

• WestConn opened the scoring with a three, but George knocked down three consecutive triples during an 11-0 PSU run midway through the first quarter.
• The Wolves answered with an 11-3 surge to tie the game at 14-14 before freshman Genna Bolduc (Dover, N.H.) drained a late three to give the Panthers a 17-14 edge after one.
• WestConn regained the lead midway through the second, but George tied the contest at 30-30 with a fastbreak layup before sparking a late PSU push that sent the Panthers into halftime up 37-34.
• The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter before the Wolves closed the period with consecutive threes to take a 51-48 lead into the fourth.
• Plymouth State reclaimed the lead on a pair of Cox free throws and a layup from senior Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.) midway through the fourth, WestConn jumped back in front. George's three retied the game at 61-61, and late free throws from Bolduc and Stephens helped force overtime.
• Stephens and George delivered early in OT, while George's late free throws made it a three-point game with 3.3 seconds on the clock. Plymouth State defended the three-point line well, forcing WestConn to settle for a midrange jumper as time expired.

By the Numbers:

• George set new career highs with 26 points and six three-pointers, finishing two shy of the program record.
• Stephens posted 17 points and matched a career high with five blocks.
• Plymouth State shot 38.5%) from the field and 34.8% from three-point range.
• The Panthers went 15-of-20 (75.0%) at the free throw line.
• PSU held a 47-43 rebounding advantage and outscored WestConn 28-20 in the paint.
• Plymouth State owned a 17-5 advantage in second chance points.

 
Up Next:

• The Panthers return from winter break to host Keene State on Jan. 6. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.

 
 
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