MBB: Panthers fight past UMass Dartmouth

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University men's basketball team defeated the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs, 62-59, in a Little East Conference (LEC) game at Foley Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

Plymouth State made a statement to its travelling opponent that the season sweep was out of the question after the Corsairs rolled to nearly a 30-point win back in December.

In a nip-and-tuck game, senior Kyler Bosse (Manchester, N.H.) hit a three to give PSU a 54-52 lead with 5:31 left to play and the Panthers would stay in front the rest of the way. UMass Dartmouth pulled to within one, 60-59, with 37 seconds left, but Bosse nailed a pair of clutch free throws and Plymouth State's stifling defense didn't even allow a Corsairs' shot attempt on the final possession.

Prior to tip-off, Plymouth State celebrated Bosse in a brief pregame ceremony after reaching the 1,000-career point milestone earlier this month.

Bosse finished with a game-high of 23 points to help secure the victory. Junior Elijah Swanson (Meredith, N.H.) and freshman Ivan Yen (Concord, N.H.) each recorded nine points in the winning effort. The Panthers earn a crucial second conference win to keep the team in the playoff hunt.

Plymouth State improves to 6-14 (2-9 LEC), while UMass Dartmouth falls to 10-9 (7-3 LEC).

The Basics:

• Plymouth State 62, UMass Dartmouth 59
  • Plymouth State (6-14, 2-9 LEC)
  • UMass Dartmouth (10-9, 7-3 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Kyler Bosse (23 pts, 9-17 fg, 2-6 3pt, 5 reb, 5 ast)
• Ivan Yen (9 pts, 4-6 fg, 1-2 3pt 3reb, 4 ast, 4 stl)
• Elijah Swanson (9 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast)

How it Happened:

• The teams were knotted at 14-a-piece with 13:11 on the clock in the first half.
• A 14-4 run by the Corsairs found the team on top 28-18 with 7:48 to play until halftime.
• Plymouth State erupted on a 15-3 run to close out the first half and take a 33-31 lead into the locker room.
• The Corsairs started the second half fast, re-taking the lead, 41-37 at the 13:58 mark in the second half.
• UMass Dartmouth stretched the advantage to nine points (50-41) midway through the second half.
• The Panthers dominated the next several minutes, putting up 15 unanswered points to take a 58-52 lead with 4:25 on the clock.
• UMD got to within a point (58-57) with 2:08 to go until the end of regulation, but Yen came up with a steal and scored on a breakaway with just over a minute remaining.
• The Corsairs hit a pair of free throws to again pull within one, 60-59, but Bosse answered with two clutch shots from the charity stripe and Plymouth State's defense didn't allow a shot attempt in the Corsairs' final possession.

By the Numbers:

• Plymouth State went 25-of-54 (46.3%) from the floor and 5-of-18 (27.8%) from three.
• The Corsairs outrebounded the Panthers by a margin of 35-32, 10-8 on the offensive glass.
• The game saw 11 lead changes and three ties.
• The Panthers had a season high 72% assist rate (18 assists on 25 field goals).
• Bench points were in Plymouth State's favor, 17-13.
• Points off turnovers went to the Panthers, 16-10.
• UMD recorded 36 points in the paint to PSU's 28.
• It was the first win for the Panthers in their last six head-to-head meetings.

Up Next:

• PSU hosts Rhode Island College next Saturday (Feb. 3) for a 3:00 p.m. clash with the Anchormen.

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