MBB: Bosse on the brink of history but WestConn smothers Panthers
DANBURY, Conn. – Senior Kyler Bosse (Manchester, N.H.) scored a team-high 11 points and sits just two shy of the 1,000-career point plateau, but Western Connecticut State University opened with a 12-0 run and never let up to top Plymouth State University, 100-51, in the Little East Conference (LEC) men's basketball opener for both teams at Stephen Feldman Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Wolves jumped ahead fast scoring a pair of three-pointers and three fastbreak buckets for a 12-0 lead after 2:25 of action. PSU attempted to keep pace but the WestConn offense was clicking on all cylinders to build a 52-24 halftime lead and Plymouth State was unable to recover in the second half.
Plymouth State evens out at 4-4 (0-1 LEC) on the year, while WestConn rises to 5-1 (1-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 51, WestConn 100
- Plymouth State (4-4, 0-1 LEC)
- WestConn (5-1, 1-0 LEC)
Top Performers:
- Kyler Bosse (11 pts, 4 reb)
- Giorgi Tsiklauri (10 pts, 4-9 fg, 2-7 3pt, 4 reb)
- Christian Barr (10 pts, 7 reb)
How it Happened:
- WestConn got out to a hot start with a quick double-digit lead. Senior Christian Barr (Henniker, N.H.) sank a jumper in the paint and graduate student Giorgi Tsiklauri (Brooklyn, N.Y.) sniped one from beyond the arc to cut into the deficit, but the Wolves continued to push their lead.
- WestConn dominated the first half, while Bosse, with the help of senior Rylan Canabano (Concord, N.H.) and sophomore Torran Bosworth (Springfield, Mass.), tried to cut into the lead in the final few minutes to head into halftime down 52-24.
- Barr started the scoring for the Panthers with another shot in the paint, followed by a layup and free throw.
- Tsiklauri had a huge play after stealing the Wolves' possession and driving down the court and later nailed another triple, with senior Alex Dean (Reading, Mass.) and freshman Jared Khalil (Seabrook, N.H.) also connecting from distance.
- WestConn didn't slow down, though, as the hosts raced to victory.
By the Numbers:
- WestConn shot a sizzling 48.7% for the game, including 53.9% in the first half.
- The Panthers recorded ten assists on 19 made field goals.
- Barr posted a team-high seven boards.
- Dean went 2-for-3 from beyond the arc in seven minutes.
- WestConn has won three straight matchups.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State welcomes #7 Keene State to Foley Gymnasium on Wednesday (Dec. 6) for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
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