November 8, 2023

WBB: Panthers blow past VTSU Johnson in season opener

JOHNSON, Vt. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team defeated the Vermont State University (VTSU) Johnson Badgers, 71-29, in a non-conference game in the Carter Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

It was the first collegiate win for head coach Curtis Arsenault '17, who was hired after a stint as an assistant coach with the men's team.

Four Panthers ended in double-digit scoring, as sophomore Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.), junior Alli Ingalls (Hampstead, N.H.), and sophomore Raegan Peck (Dudley, Mass.) each recorded 11 points, while freshman Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.), added ten points in the winning effort. George was honored with the Little East Conference Rookie of the Year award last season.

Plymouth State opens 1-0 on the season, while VTSU Johnson starts at 0-1.

The Basics:

• Plymouth State 71, VTSU Johnson 29
  • Plymouth State (1-0)
  • VTSU Johnson (0-1)

Top Performers:

• Sophie George (11 pts, 5-11 fg, 1-4 3pt, 5 reb)
• Alli Ingalls (11 pts, 3-5 fg, 2 reb)
• Raegan Peck (11 pts, 4-12 fg, 1-4 3pt, 2-2 ft, 2 reb, 3 ast)
• Ashley Stephens (10 pts, 4-5 fg, 2-2 ft, 7 reb)

How it Happened:

• The Panthers started on an 8-2 run with 6:16 on the clock in the first quarter.
• Plymouth State extended the advantage to 14 points (19-5) with 4:03 remaining in the opening frame.
• The Badgers closed out the first outscoring PSU 7-5 to cut the lead to 12 (24-12) after one.
• PSU scored the first 12 points of the second quarter to go up 36-12 with 2:40 remaining until halftime.
• Halftime score went to the Panthers, 40-16.
• A tight third quarter found Plymouth State edging its opponent 14-13 extending the advantage to 54-29 after three.
• The Panthers shut things down, as strong defense held the Badgers to no points in the fourth quarter as Plymouth State cruised to a comfortable victory.

By the Numbers:

• The Panthers went 27-of-65 (41.5%) from the floor and 6-of-21 (28.6%) from three.
• Plymouth State outrebounded the Badgers, 31-23, with an 8-3 advantage on the offensive boards.
• PSU's bench outscored the VTSU-Johnson reserves by a 29-4 margin.
• The Panthers controlled the interior, outscoring VTSU-Johnson 36-4 in the paint.
• PSU had 14 steals to the Badgers four.
• The Panthers hold a 9-3 record on the road against the Badgers.
• Plymouth State holds an 18-4 edge in the head-to-head series dating back to 1988.

Up Next:

• Plymouth State has its first home game of the season on Saturday (Nov. 11) as the Owls of Westfield State University come to Foley Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 12:00 p.m.

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