MBB: Panthers stunned by Eastern Connecticut in OT

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University men's basketball team was defeated by the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors, 72-71, in overtime in a Little East Conference (LEC) contest at Foley Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers led until the last shot, a Warriors' three-pointer with less than six seconds remaining in overtime that put Eastern Connecticut ahead for the first time. It was one of five shots from distance for the Warriors in the final minute of regulation and the overtime period to steal the conference win.

Graduate student Giorgi Tsiklauri (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the Panthers with 17 points, while senior Kyler Bosse (Manchester, N.H.), sophomore Torran Bosworth (Springfield, Mass.) and freshman Jared Khalil (Seabrook, N.H.) each recorded 12 points for the Panthers in the losing effort.

Plymouth State dips to 5-11 (1-6 LEC), while the Warriors improve to 4-12 (1-6 LEC).

The Basics:

• Plymouth State 71, Eastern Connecticut 72 (OT)
  • Plymouth State (5-11, 1-6 LEC)
  • Eastern Connecticut (4-12, 1-6 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Giorgi Tsiklauri (17 pts, 5 reb)
• Kyler Bosse (12 pts, 3 reb)
• Torran Bosworth (12 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast)
• Jared Khalil (12 pts, 3 reb)
• Christian Barr (6 pts, 9 reb)

How it Happened:

• Team teams found a deadlock at 8-8 with 13:39 to go in the first half.
• A 9-2 run for the Panthers put the hosts out front, 17-10, with 7:53 to go until halftime.
• The Warriors tied the game back up at 20-apiece at the 3:51 mark in the first.
• Plymouth State closed out the half with a statement, using a 10-0 run to take a 30-20 advantage into the locker room.
• Eastern Connecticut pulled back, cutting the deficit to 39-37 with 11:55 to play in the second half.
• Just two minutes later, the Panthers increased the lead back to nine points, 46-37, as the final eight minutes loomed.
• The Panthers maintained a seven-point lead, 57-50, with 1:05 left on the clock. The Warriors proceeded to play the foul game, as PSU went 3-for-6 from the line.
• Eastern Connecticut knocked down three consecutive triples in the final minute of play, including the final shot of regulation with three seconds on the clock, to tie the game at 60-60 and force overtime.
• Plymouth State started the overtime period on a 7-2 run to take a 67-62 lead with 2:00 showing on the clock.
• The Warriors knocked down another late three to bring the game to 70-69 with 18 seconds left in overtime and immediately fouled to put Plymouth State on the line again.
• After knocking down 1-of-2 free throws, the Warriors had ball in hand, down two points (71-69) and the clock winding down. Yet another three-pointer was hit with just under six seconds left to give Eastern Connecticut its first, and only lead of the game.
• Plymouth State had one last-ditch effort for the win, but the buzzer beater was off the mark as ECSU escaped with the unlikely win.

By the Numbers:

• The Warriors took 22 more field goal attempts in the contest (81-59).
• Eastern Connecticut outrebounded the Panthers, 55-40, with a 21-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
• The Warriors led for a total of six seconds in the entire contest.
• Plymouth State scored 22 points off turnovers to ECSU's 13.
• Plymouth State holds a 38-43 record against the Warriors dating back to the 1986-87 season. ECSU has won 11-of-12 matchups.

Up Next:

• The Panthers settle in for a pair of home games next week, starting with a visit from Southern Maine on Wednesday (Jan. 17). Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

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