BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.) recorded her second straight double-double, but the University of Massachusetts Boston clamped down in the fourth quarter to topple Plymouth State University, 57-38, in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball game at Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium on Saturday.
 
Malozzi finished with 11 points and ten rebounds to post her fourth double-double of the season. Plymouth State held a two-point lead after the first quarter and the game was deadlocked at 23-23 at the half.
 
The Beacons attempted to pull away during the third quarter, but each time the Panthers responded and it remained a one-point game into the fourth quarter. UMass Boston turned it on defensively over the final ten minutes to pull away.
 
Plymouth State slips to 4-18 (1-13 LEC), while the Beacons improve to 9-15 (6-9 LEC).
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 38, UMass Boston 57
  • Plymouth State (4-18, 1-13 LEC)
  • UMass Boston (9-15, 6-9 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Plymouth State
  • Hailey Malozzi (11 pts, 10 reb, 4 stl)
  • Sophie George (10 pts, 3-7 3pt)
  • Elli Cox (5 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl)

How it Happened:

• Junior Elli Cox (Deerfield, N.H.) sank a pair of free throws as PSU led 8-4 after the first three minutes of play.
• Malozzi got to the rim for a fastbreak layup as the Panthers extended the margin to 13-8 midway through the first.
• The Beacons closed the frame with a free throw and bucket to trail 13-11 after one.
• Malozzi's triple gave the Panthers a 17-13 lead with seven minutes left in the first half.
• UMB used an 8-0 spurt to jump into the lead, 23-19, with three minutes on the clock, but Plymouth State answered and Malozzi's layup in the final minute deadlocked the game at 23-23 heading into halftime.
• The hosts scored the first seven points out of the locker room to take a 30-23 lead.
• Plymouth State hung around and a free throw from junior Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.) cut the margin to one, 39-38, heading to the fourth quarter.
• The Beacons tightened the screws defensively over the final ten minutes, as UMB pulled away for the conference win.

By the Numbers:

• UMass Boston went 25-of-62 (40.3%) from the floor, while limiting PSU to 13-of-61 (21.3%) shooting.
• Plymouth State owned a 38-31 advantage on the boards, including 12-5 edge on the offensive glass.
• The Panthers assisted on nine of 13 made field goals.
• PSU came away with ten steals in the game, with Malozzi snagging four and Cox grabbing three.
• Plymouth State still leads the all-time series, 42-33.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State travels to Vermont State University Lyndon for a non-conference matchup with the Hornets on Monday (Feb. 17).

 
 
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