WBB: Wilcox nets career high as Panthers hold off WestConn

DANBURY, Conn. – Junior Bri Wilcox (Londonderry, N.H.) had a career day to lead Plymouth State University to a 79-70 win over Western Connecticut State University in the Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball opener for both teams at Stephen Feldman Arena on Saturday.

Wilcox got out to a scorching start in the first quarter, dropping 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including four three-pointers and a great drive to the hoop to help the Panthers keep pace with WestConn.

PSU pulled away in the second quarter after multiple long-range shots connected and successful trips to the foul line for a 43-37 lead heading into halftime.

Plymouth State got ahold of a double-digit advantage midway through the third with Wilcox draining another two shots from distance, but WestConn battled back in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 67-67 with only a few minutes remaining.

Senior Sabrina Vlahovic (New Hope, Pa.), junior Alli Ingalls (Hampstead, N.H.) and freshman Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.) all made successful trips to the hoop to nip the Wolves' comeback attempt and seal the 79-70 victory.

Plymouth State secures its first LEC win since an OT victory against WestConn in Feb. 2022. The Panthers improve to 5-2 (1-0 LEC), already matching last year's win total, while WestConn dips to 1-6 (0-1 LEC).

The Basics:

• Plymouth State 79, WestConn 70
  • Plymouth State (5-2, 1-0 LEC)
  • WestConn (1-6, 0-1 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Bri Wilcox (28 pts, 11-17 fg, 6-9 3pt, 6 reb)
• Ashley Stephens (14 pts, 5-12 fg, 4-5 ft, 2 reb)
• Lea Crompton (13 pts, 9 asts, 3 reb)
• Sabrina Vlahovic (10 pts, 4-5 fg, 7 reb)

How it Happened:

• Wilcox was all over the court in the first quarter, draining four three-pointers and a final layup for 18 points, but WestConn kept pace as the score was knotted at 22-22 after one.
• The Panthers carried the momentum, with Stephens going 2-for-2 at the line and sophomore Raegan Peck (Dudley, Mass.) connecting from deep for a 27-22 lead.
• PSU extended the margin with additional shots from beyond the arc by graduate student Lea Crompton (Dunbarton, N.H.) and Vlahovic to close the half with a score of 43-37.
• While the Wolves slowly tried to crawl back from the deficit, Ingalls plunged her first three of the night to give PSU a solid double-digit lead and Wilcox fired another one of her own to enter the fourth quarter with a 62-52 advantage.
• WestConn blasted out of the gates with a 7-0 surge and ultimately pulled even, 67-67, with just over three minutes left.
• Stephens, Vlahovic and Ingalls had successful drives to the rim to build a six-point lead and free throws from Crompton and senior Lauren Keller (Fort Collins, Colo.) secured the 79-70 victory.

By the Numbers:

• Plymouth State was an even 50% from distance, going 10-for-20.
• WestConn took advantage of points off turnovers with a slight 22-16 edge.
• Wilcox had a career-high 28 points and hit 11-of-17, including 6-of-9 from distance.
• Crompton drained 8-of-10 from the line, while Stephens was 4-for-5 from the charity stripe.
• The Panthers held a 39-38 edge on the boards.
• Crompton is nearing the 1,000-point plateau as her career total now stands at 938.

Up Next:

• Plymouth State stays in league action when rival Keene State comes to town on Wednesday (Dec. 6) for a 5:30 p.m. contest.

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