PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Macy Swormstedt (Laconia, N.H.) scored a game-high 17 points, including seven in overtime, as Plymouth State University outlasted Thomas College, 56-49, in a non-conference women's basketball game at Foley Gymnasium on Wednesday afternoon.
Senior
Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.) hit a layup to give the Panthers a 45-36 lead with 4:37 left in regulation, but the Terriers closed the quarter on a 9-0 run, capped by a game-tying three-pointer with nine seconds remaining. Plymouth State had one final possession, but a runner in the paint was blocked to force overtime.
Sophomore
Genna Bolduc (Dover, N.H.) hit a baseline jumper and freshman
Sydney Gerossie (Derry, N.H.) added a layup as Plymouth State quickly took a four-point lead in the extra session. The Panthers remained in front the rest of the way. A pair of free throws cut the lead to 49-47, but Swormstedt took over from there, scoring the next six points on a jumper and four consecutive free throws to secure the win.
Swormstedt and sophomore
Alex White (Derry, N.H.) both posted double-doubles in the win. Swormstedt finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while White scored 12 points and pulled down 12 rebounds. Bolduc also reached double figures on the glass, finishing with seven points and 10 rebounds.
Plymouth State improves to 2-1, while the Terriers fall to 1-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 56, Thomas 49 (OT)
- Plymouth State (2-1)
- Thomas (1-2)
How it Happened:
- The teams went back and forth in the opening quarter, with Swormstedt's driving layup tying the score at 8-8 midway through the frame.
- Thomas converted from the free throw line to go up 16-13 with 2:33 left in the first, but Bolduc drilled a three-pointer, then scored at the rim, and Swormstedt hit a free throw to give the Panthers a 19-16 lead after one.
- A Stephens layup extended the Plymouth State lead to 25-19 midway through the second quarter. Thomas chipped away over the next four minutes, pulling within 25-23, but junior Torle Adumene (Manchester, N.H.) connected from distance as Plymouth State carried a 28-23 lead into halftime.
- White started the third quarter with three straight buckets as PSU pushed the margin to nine, 34-25, in the first three minutes.
- The Thomas defense held the Panthers scoreless the rest of the frame as the Terriers whittled the deficit to 34-31 entering the fourth quarter.
- Thomas hit a pair of free throws to make it 37-36 three minutes into the fourth quarter, but White and Stephens combined for the next eight points to give the Panthers a 45-36 lead with 4:37 left to play.
- The Terriers slowly chipped away, cutting the lead to three, 45-42, on a pair of free throws with a minute remaining before tying the game on a three-pointer with nine seconds left. The Panthers had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but a runner in the lane was blocked to send the game to overtime.
- Bolduc and Gerossie each scored early in the extra session. The Terriers converted a pair of free throws to get within 49-47 with 3:42 remaining, but Swormstedt answered with a jumper before hitting four consecutive free throws to extend the lead to 55-47 with 2:14 on the clock.
- Thomas answered with two free throws to get within six with 1:49 remaining, but the Plymouth State defense wouldn't allow another point, and Swormstedt hit once more from the free throw line to seal the 56-49 victory.
By the Numbers:
- Swormstedt finished with game-highs of 17 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals.
- White went 6-for-13 from the field for 12 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks.
- Stephens shot 5-for-9 for 11 points and four rebounds with two steals, while Bolduc added seven points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
- The last time Plymouth State had multiple players record double-doubles came on Dec. 7, 2017, during a double-overtime contest against Salem State. That game was marked the last time three Panthers reached double-digit rebounds.
- PSU held the Thomas offense to just 10-for-52 (19.2%) shooting.
- The Terriers went 27-for-32 from the free throw line, while Plymouth State was 11-for-17.
- Plymouth State outscored the Terriers in the paint, 30-10.
- PSU improves to 6-2 overall and 4-1 at home against the Terriers.
Up Next:
- The Panthers travel to Norwich University for a non-conference game on Friday (Nov. 13) at 6 p.m.
– 30 –
