KEENE, N.H. – Freshman Macy Swormstedt (Laconia, N.H.) had a memorable evening, scoring 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting, but the Plymouth State University women's basketball team was downed by the Keene State College Owls, 64-50, in a Little East Conference (LEC) showdown in Spaulding Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.
 
The Owls led for much of the contest, but Plymouth State used a 13-2 run in the fourth quarter to slice the deficit to nine points, 57-48, with more than five minutes to play. Keene State answered right back with a three-pointer to push the margin back to double-digits to halt the comeback effort.
 
Senior Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.) added 10 points in the losing effort for the Panthers, while classmate Elli Cox (Deerfield, N.H.) chipped in six points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
 
Plymouth State falls to 9-11 (2-9 LEC), while Keene State improves to 15-6 (9-3 LEC).
 
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 50, Keene State 64
  • Plymouth State (9-11, 2-9 LEC)
  • Keene State (15-6, 9-3 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Plymouth State
  • Macy Swormstedt (20 pts, 6-9 fg, 3-4 3pt, 5-6 ft, 6 reb)
  • Hailey Malozzi (10 pts, 6 reb)
  • Ashley Stephens (9 pts, 2-5 fg, 5-6 ft, 2 blk)
  • Elli Cox (6 pts, 9 reb)

How it Happened:

• The Owls jumped out to an early 11-4 lead through the first six minutes of play, then held Plymouth State scoreless the remainder of the frame to build a 14-4 advantage after the first quarter.
• Keene State continued to pull away in the second, extending the margin to 17 points (32-15) at the halftime break.
• The Owls attempted to put the game out of reach, leading 40-19 with 8:28 on the clock in the third quarter.
• An 8-0 burst gave the Panthers some life, forcing a Keene State timeout leading 40-26 midway through the third.
• Keene State responded with five points in the final minute of the stanza to expand to 53-35 entering the fourth quarter.
• The Panthers battled to the end, using a 13-2 surge, highlighted by a pair of Swormstedt three-pointers, to pull within 57-48 with 5:36 left in regulation.
• Plymouth State was unable to get any closer as the Owls held on for the win.

By the Numbers:

• Swormstedt scored 20 points for the second time in the last three games.
• The Panthers shot 16-of-46 from the floor (34.8%) and 5-of-16 (31.3%) from distance.
• Keene State scored 21 points off turnovers to 13 for PSU.
• Both teams used a short bench, as the teams combined for seven bench points.
• Points in the paint went to Plymouth State, 18-16.
• Plymouth State has lost four in a row to the Owls

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State hosts UMass Dartmouth for a league game on Saturday (Feb. 7) at noon.

 
 
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