January 14, 2023

WBB: League-leading RIC powers past Panthers

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Freshman Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.) scored 15 points and shot nearly 50% from the field, but league-leading Rhode Island College overpowered Plymouth State University, 87-47, in Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball action at The Murray Center on Saturday afternoon.

George buried 7-of-15 from the floor and added five boards, two assists and two steals in a well-rounded effort, while sophomore Alli Ingalls (Hampstead, N.H.) finished in double figures with 10 points and four boards.

RIC opened the game with a 15-2 run over the first four minutes and the Anchorwomen would never trail as the team shot an impressive 47.1% from the floor while making 18 free throws. The Panthers got to the line just eight times.

Plymouth State falls to 4-10 (0-8 LEC), while RIC moves to 14-2 and stays perfect (7-0) in league play.

The Basics:

• Plymouth State 47, RIC 87
  • Plymouth State (4-10, 0-8 LEC)
  • RIC (14-2, 7-0 LEC)

How it Happened:

• Senior Autumn Nelson (Weare, N.H.) buried a jumper for PSU's first points to make it 4-2 in the opening minutes but the Anchorwomen scored the game's next 11 to take control.
• RIC pushed the lead to 16 late in the period, but Nelson absorbed contact and converted in the lane, then sank the ensuing free throw to make it a 24-11 game after one.
• Both teams struggled to put points on the board over the first half of the second quarter as Nelson's jumper made it a 30-13 game with 5:05 left before halftime.
• PSU heated up late in the frame, with George scoring on an aggressive drive to the hoop and freshman Raegan Peck (Dudley, Mass.) draining a pull-up jumper. Ingalls added an old-fashioned three-point play, but the Anchorwomen hit a buzzer-beater to take a 49-22 lead into the locker room.
• The hosts continued to extend the lead in the second half, pushing the margin to 70-37 by the end of the third quarter before coasting to the win.

By the Numbers:

• George posted 15 points and five boards to go with two assists and two steals. She knocked down 7-of-15 from the field, including 1-of-3 from distance.
• Ingalls was the only other Panther in double digits with 10 points. She added four rebounds and drew a team-high six fouls.
• Nelson made three-of-five from the field to finish with seven points, while senior Jalen Cook (Monkton, Vt.) chipped in with six.
• RIC shot a blistering 55.6% in the second and 53.3% in the third and finished the game 32-of-68 (47.1%), while PSU was 19-of-61 (31.1%).
• The Anchorwomen controlled the glass, outrebounding PSU by a 52-30 margin.
• RIC has won each of the last ten meetings.

Up Next:

• The Panthers head to NVU-Lyndon on Tuesday (Jan. 17) for a non-conference tilt with the Hornets. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.

– 30 –