December 1, 2022

WBB: "Big Three" carry Panthers over NEC

HENNIKER, N.H. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team used a huge first quarter to defeat New England College, 64-57, in a non-conference game in Bridges Gymnasium on Thursday evening.

The Panthers poured in 24 points in the first quarter to gain a sizeable advantage they would not relinquish. PSU has not trailed in two straight games. The Pilgrims pulled to within three points late in the game, but Plymouth State held strong to secure the win.

Senior Jalen Cook (Monkton, Vt.) led the Panthers with 22 points, while freshman Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.) added 21 of her own. Senior Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) contributed 15 points to the winning effort. The trio accounted for over 90% of the Panthers' scoring.

Plymouth State improves to 4-2, while the Pilgrims drop to 6-3.

The Basics:

• Plymouth State 64, NEC 57
  • Plymouth State (4-2)
  • NEC (6-3)

Top Performers:

• Jalen Cook (22 pts, 9-18 fg, 3-4 3pt, 4 reb)
• Sophie George (21 pts, 7-14 fg, 2-6 3pt, 4 reb)
• Alessia Salzillo (15 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast)

How it Happened:

• The Panthers started fast, opening with a 7-0 lead with 7:35 left on the clock in the first quarter.
• Plymouth State continued to pile on, holding NEC to without a field goal until the 2:52 mark. The Panthers stretched the advantage to 22-5 in the opening frame.
• The Pilgrims scored the final three points of the first as Plymouth State led 24-8 after one.
• NEC found its footing, starting the second quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 24-15 with 7:57 to play until halftime.
• The Pilgrims kept chipping away, closing to within five, 34-29, with 1:30 remaining.
• A foul called with one second on the clock put NEC on the free throw line to make it a 34-30 game at the half.
• The Panthers reopened a double-digit lead, 45-35, with 6:47 on the clock in the third quarter.
• NEC closed out the frame with a 9-2 burst to make it 47-44 entering the fourth.
• PSU extended the margin to 62-50 behind a 9-0 run with 3:05 remaining.
• The Pilgrims tried to press late, but PSU held tough to salt out the victory.

By the Numbers:

• The Panthers went 25-of-62 (40.3%) from the floor and 5-of-13 (38.5%) from three.
• NEC outrebounded the Panthers by a 52-36 margin, including 23-11 on the offensive glass.
• Plymouth State came away with 14 steals.
• PSU had a 57% assist rate, with 13 of its 23 field goals coming from an extra pass.
• NEC's bench outscored the Panthers' reserves by a 17-2 margin.
• PSU had 32 points in the paint to the Pilgrims' 22.
• NEC took 31 attempts from beyond the three-point line.
• Plymouth State improves to 14-4 against the Pilgrims, but NEC had won four of the last five meetings.

Up Next:

• The Panthers host WestConn on Saturday (Dec. 3) to open the Little East Conference (LEC) schedule. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.

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