DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Senior Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.) scored 20 points for the fourth time this season, but the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth used a decisive third quarter to get past Plymouth State University, 75-55, in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball game at Tripp Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
Plymouth State shot a sizzling 57% from the field in the first quarter, riding a late 9-3 spurt to take a 19-16 lead after one. UMass Dartmouth exploded for a 14-2 spurt to start the second quarter, but the Panthers countered late in the frame. Malozzi's three-pointer made it a 35-32 game in the final minute of the half, though UMass Dartmouth answered from beyond the arc to make it a six-point game at the break.
 
The Corsairs' defense stifled Plymouth State in the third quarter as the hosts pulled away. Plymouth State kept pace over the final ten minutes but was unable to cut into the deficit.
 
Plymouth State slips to 8-7 (1-6 LEC), while the Corsairs improve to 6-10 (3-4 LEC).
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 55, UMass Dartmouth 75
  • Plymouth State (8-7, 1-6 LEC)
  • UMass Dartmouth (6-10, 3-4 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Plymouth State
  • Hailey Malozzi (20 pts, 6-14 fg, 2-4 3pt, 6-7 ft, 3 reb, 2 stl)
  • Ashley Stephens (8 pts, 3-4 fg, 4 reb, 2 ast)
  • Macy Swormstedt (8 pts, 2-2 3pt, 7 reb, 3 ast)
  • Elli Cox (8 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast)

How it Happened:

• Freshman Macy Swormstedt (Laconia, N.H.) opened the game strong, scoring inside and knocking down a three as the Panthers jumped out to an early lead.
• UMass Dartmouth went ahead 13-10 midway through the first quarter, but Plymouth State closed the frame on a 9-3 run, highlighted by seven Malozzi points, to take a 19-16 lead.
• The Corsairs opened the second quarter with a 14-2 run, but senior Elli Cox (Derryfield, N.H.) and Malozzi sparked a late response to pull within three, 30-27, with four minutes before halftime.
• Malozzi hit a pair of free throws and a three-pointer in the final minute to make it 35-32, but a late triple sent UMass Dartmouth into halftime ahead 38-32.
• The Corsairs pulled away in the third quarter, extending the margin to 54-36 heading into the fourth.
• Plymouth State mounted a strong offensive effort in the final quarter but could not overcome the deficit.

By the Numbers:

• Malozzi led all scorers with 20 points, shooting 6-of-14 from the floor and 6-of-7 at the line.
• Cox narrowly missed a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds.
• The Panthers hit six three-pointers, with two each from Swormstedt, Malozzi and freshman Genna Bolduc (Dover, N.H.).
• UMass Dartmouth capitalized on a significant free throw advantage, going 21-of-36 compared to PSU's 17-of-21.
• The Panthers owned a 38-33 edge in rebounds and led 12-9 in second-chance points.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State hosts league-leading Southern Maine on Wednesday (Jan. 21) at 5 p.m.

 
 
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