WBB: Panthers toppled by #3/#4 Rhode Island College

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team was defeated by the #3/#4 Rhode Island College Anchorwomen, 72-25, in a Little East Conference (LEC) contest at the Murray Center Saturday afternoon.

Freshman Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.) continued her solid rookie campaign, leading the Panthers with eight points and two rebounds, while graduate student Lea Crompton (Dunbarton, N.H) and junior Bri Wilcox (Londonderry, N.H.) were able to score four points each in the difficult matchup against the nationally ranked opponent.

Plymouth State dips to 5-5 (1-2 LEC), while the Anchorwomen, ranked #3 in the D3hoops.com poll and #4 in the WBCA poll, remain perfect at 14-0 (5-0 LEC).

The Basics:

• Plymouth State 25, #3/#4 Rhode Island College 72
  • Plymouth State (5-5, 1-2 LEC)
  • Rhode Island College (14-0, 5-0 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Ashley Stephens (8 pts, 4-4 ft, 2 reb)
• Bri Wilcox (4 pts, 5 reb)
• Lea Crompton (4 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast)

How it Happened:

• The Anchorwomen jumped out to an early 17-4 lead after the first quarter of play.
• Plymouth State had its strongest showing in the second, scoring 10 points, but falling behind 38-14 at halftime.
• The Panthers came out strong in the third quarter, holding RIC to a slim 16-9 advantage, keeping the high-powered offense at bay.
• RIC closed out the game as tired legs got ahold of the Panthers and the Anchorwomen cruised to a comfortable victory to remain undefeated.

By the Numbers:

• The Panthers were 10-of-13 (76.9%) from the free throw line.
• RIC shot 49.2% from the floor.
• PSU scored nearly half of the team's points (11) off 15 forced turnovers.
• The Anchorwomen have enjoyed a stretch of 12 straight wins over the Panthers.
• Plymouth State holds a 34-45 lifetime record in the head-to-head dating back to 1987.

Up Next:

• The Panthers remain in LEC action when they visit VTSU Castleton on Tuesday (Jan. 9). Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at Glenbrook Gymnasium.

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