PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.) posted a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double, but the University of Massachusetts Boston spoiled Plymouth State University's Senior Day in a Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball contest at Foley Gymnasium on Saturday.
 
The first quarter saw back-and-forth action, with freshman Macy Swormstedt (Laconia, N.H.) nailing a pull-up jumper late to cut the Beacons' lead to 19-16 after one. UMass Boston pulled away late in the second quarter to carry a 38-22 lead into the halftime break.
 
PSU used an 8-0 spurt to get within 44-32 midway through the third quarter, but the visitors responded, and Plymouth State was unable to rally in the fourth.
 
Prior to the game, PSU honored the members of its senior class for their contributions to the program: Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.), Elli Cox (Deerfield, N.H.), Raegan Peck (Dudley, Mass.), and Malozzi.
 
Plymouth State dips to 10-13 (3-11 LEC), while UMass Boston moves to 14-10 (8-7 LEC). The Panthers head into the final week of the season still holding out hope for a playoff spot, trailing Eastern Connecticut State by two games in the standings. The two teams meet in the regular season finale next Saturday (Feb. 21).
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 46, UMass Boston 69
  • Plymouth State (10-13, 3-11 LEC)
  • UMass Boston (14-10, 8-7 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Plymouth State
  • Hailey Malozzi (14 pts, 12 reb, 3 stl)
  • Ashley Stephens (11 pts, 7 reb)
  • Elli Cox (7 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast)

How it Happened:

• George and Peck each drained three-pointers as the Panthers jumped out to an 8-4 lead through the first three minutes.
• The Beacons responded with a 12-3 burst to surge ahead, 16-11, with three minutes left in the first.
• Malozzi completed an old-fashioned three-point play and Swormstedt's jumper cut the UMass Boston lead to 19-16 at the end of the first quarter.
• Cox scored from the interior to keep it a three-point game early in the second, but a 7-0 spurt extended the Beacons' lead.
• Malozzi hauled in an offensive rebound and hit the putback to make it 28-20 with three minutes remaining in the half.
• The Beacons ended the quarter on a 10-2 run to extend the lead to 38-22 at the half.
• UMass Boston pushed the margin to 44-24 early in the third, but Plymouth State clawed back behind an 8-0 spurt. Malozzi's three-pointer cut the deficit to 51-36 entering the fourth.
• Plymouth State was unable to carve into the margin over the final ten minutes.

By the Numbers:

• Malozzi pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards. The 12 rebounds were one shy of her career high. She logged her third double-double of the season.
• The Panthers owned a 44-36 rebounding advantage, including 24 offensive rebounds.
• PSU scored 14 second chance points to four for UMass Boston.
• UMass Boston shot 25-of-49 (51.0%) from the field and made 7-of-13 three-pointers (53.8%).
• Plymouth State finished 15-of-67 (22.4%) from the floor and 5-of-32 (15.6%) from downtown.
• Plymouth State leads the all-time series, 42-35.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State stays home to host VTSU Castleton on Wednesday (Feb. 18) at 5 p.m.

 
 
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