WBB: Panthers come close, fall to Eastern Connecticut

Game Leaders

Eastern Connecticut
Pts: Taylor Salato - 30
Reb: Taylor Salato - 20
Ast: Taylor Salato - 3
Plymouth State
Pts: Bri Wilcox - 19
Reb: Bri Wilcox - 9
Ast: Lea Crompton - 4

Team Stats

Eastern Connecticut
Plymouth State

Field Goals

(20-58)
(20-64)

Field Goal %

34.5%
31.3%

Rebounds

51
36

Assists

8
5

Turnovers

14
9

Pts off Turnovers

7
14

2nd Chance Pts

15
10

Pts in the Paint

22
32

Fastbreak Pts

4
14

Bench Pts

0
10
full stats
Jan 13, 2024

WBB: Panthers come close, fall to Eastern Connecticut

 

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team fell to the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors, 59-52, in a Little East Conference (LEC) clash at Foley Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors opened with a 12-point advantage after the first quarter of play, anticipating a comfortable victory away from home, but a rejuvenated Panther squad had other plans. Plymouth State mounted a comeback and got to within one point in the third quarter, but the Warriors were able to hold on for the narrow victory from the relentless Panthers.

Junior Bri Wilcox (Londonderry, N.H.) led the Panthers, finishing just shy of a triple-double after recording 19 points, nine rebounds, and eight steals in the contest. Seniors Sabrina Vlahovic (New Hope, Pa.) and Lauren Keller (Fort Morgan, Colo.) each recorded eight points in the losing effort.

Plymouth State falls to 7-6 (3-3 LEC), while the Warriors improve to 6-10 (4-3 LEC).

 

The Basics:

  • Plymouth State 52, Eastern Connecticut 59
    • Plymouth State (7-6, 3-3 LEC)
    • Eastern Connecticut (6-10, 4-3 LEC)

Top Performers:

  • Bri Wilcox (19 pts, 9 reb, 8 stl)
  • Sabrina Vlahovic (8 pts, 4-6 fg)
  • Lauren Keller (8 pts, 3-6 fg, 2-4 3pt, 5 reb)

How it Happened:

  • The teams opened in a back-and-forth, with the Warriors edging Plymouth State 7-6 through the first three minutes of play.
  • Eastern Connecticut erupted for a 15-2 run to take a 22-8 lead with 1:11 on the clock in the first.
  • The Panthers chipped into the deficit throughout the second quarter, ending the period on an 11-2 run to cut the margin to 33-30 at halftime.
  • A low scoring third quarter found both teams struggling to connect shots. The Warriors outshot the Panthers 10-8 to maintain a narrow lead, 43-38, through three.
  • Eastern Connecticut rediscovered its touch, starting the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run, to push the lead to 52-40 with 5:00 left.
  • Plymouth State started to mount another comeback, getting to within five points (54-49) at the 1:42 mark of the fourth quarter.
  • The Warriors knocked down last-minute free throws to keep the Panthers at bay, closing out the game with the conference victory.

By the Numbers:

  • The Panthers went 20-of-64 (31.4%) from the floor, and 3-of-19 (15.8%) from three.
  • Eastern Connecticut outrebounded Plymouth State 51-36, 18-13 on the offensive glass.
  • Plymouth State forced 14 turnovers and committed just nine.
  • Bench points were in the Panthers' favor, 10-0.
  • The Panthers recorded 12 steals to Eastern Connecticut's four.
  • Points in the paint went to Plymouth State, 32-22.

 

Up Next:

  • The Panthers visit UMaine Farmington on Monday (Jan. 15) for a 4:00 p.m. battle with the Beavers.

 

 

 

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