February 11, 2023

WBB: Vlahovic posts double-double in return to lineup

DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team fell to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 87-75, in a Little East Conference (LEC) game at the Tripp Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon.

Plymouth State pushed for all four quarters, forcing the Corsairs to stay sharp for the duration. PSU had chances to make it a one-possession game late, but UMass Dartmouth was able to fend of the Panthers' attack just enough to secure the win.

Five Panthers scored in double figures, while junior Sabrina Vlahovic (New Hope, Pa.) posted her third career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in her return to the lineup after missing the last eight games due to injury.

Freshman Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.) scored 16 points, while junior Lauren Keller (Fort Morgan, Colo.) scored 13 points and senior Sarah Sweet (Narragansett, R.I.) added 12 of her own. Senior Jalen Cook (Monkton, Vt..) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points in the losing effort.

Plymouth State falls to 5-17 (0-15 LEC) on the season, while UMass Dartmouth improves 15-8 and 11-3 in conference play.

The Basics:

• Plymouth State 75, UMass Dartmouth 87
  • Plymouth State (5-17, 0-15 LEC)
  • UMass Dartmouth (15-8, 11-3 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Sabrina Vlahovic (11 pts, 4-6 fg, 2-3 3pt, 11 reb)
• Sophie George (16 pts, 5-9 fg, 4-6 3pt, 7 reb, 7 ast)
• Lauren Keller (13 pts, 6-12 fg, 5 reb)
• Sarah Sweet (12 pts, 4-9 fg, 4-8 3pt)
• Jalen Cook (10 pts, 6 reb)

How it Happened:

• The Corsairs opened play with a 9-3 run over the first 2:17.
• UMD extended the margin to ten, 19-9, with 2:55 on the clock in the first.
• The Panthers belted out four straight three-pointers to close the quarter with a 21-19 lead.
• Plymouth State pushed the margin to six, 27-21, at the 7:49 mark of the second quarter.
• The hosts rallied back to regain the advantage, 32-20, with 2:51 left before halftime.
• The Corsairs scored the final six points of the half to take a 40-36 lead into the locker room.
• A 7-0 run in the third quarter gave UMD a 53-41 lead with 5:55 to go.
• The Panthers were able to get as close as five points, 68-63, with 6:55 left in the fourth, but UMD slowed things down to seal off the conference victory.

By the Numbers:

• The Panthers went 28-of-58 (48.3%) from the floor and 12-of-28 (42.9%) from three.
• Plymouth State outrebounded the Corsairs, 39-33, while each side pulled down six offensive boards.
• PSU's bench outscored the UMD reserves by a 34-13 margin.
• The Corsairs controlled the interior, outscoring Plymouth State 48-24 in the paint.
• PSU's 75 points were the most in a conference game since the 2018-19 season, when they topped UMass Dartmouth, 89-87, in double OT.
• The Panthers' 12 made three-pointers were the most in a game since the 2018-19 season.
• Plymouth State owns a 39-37 edge in the series dating back to 1988, but the Corsairs have won each of the last seven meetings.

Up Next:

• Plymouth State wraps up its season next Saturday (Feb. 18) with a Senior Day clash with Rhode Island College. Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m.

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