WBB: Late push lifts Keene State past Panthers

KEENE, N.H. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team fell to the Keene State College Owls, 61-51, in a Little East Conference (LEC) matchup at Spaulding Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

It was a one-possession game towards the end of the third quarter, but the Owls converted on 13 free throws in the fourth quarter to keep the Panthers at arm's length and secure the conference victory.

Junior Bri Wilcox (Londonderry, N.H) led the Panthers with 17 points, while graduate student Lea Crompton (Dunbarton, N.H.) tallied 15 of her own. Freshman Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.) recorded 12 points in the losing effort for the Panthers.

Plymouth State drops to 8-9 (4-5 LEC) on the season, while the Owls improve to 8-9 (4-5 LEC).

The Basics:

• Plymouth State 51, Keene State 61
  • Plymouth State (8-9, 4-5 LEC)
  • Keene State (8-9, 4-5 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Bri Wilcox (17 pts, 10-14 ft, 9 reb, 5 ast)
• Ashley Stephens (12 pts, 6-9 fg, 6 reb)
• Lea Crompton (15 pts, 6-13 fg, 2-6 3pt, 4 reb)

How it Happened:

• After a back-and-forth start to play, the teams were knotted at 10-a-piece with 4:20 left in the first quarter.
• Plymouth State closed out the first with a 14-12 lead after the first ten minutes of play.
• The Panthers pulled out in front, 20-15, with 7:46 on the clock in the second quarter.
• Keene State ended the half on an 11-0 run to take a 26-20 halftime lead.
• Plymouth State opened the third on a 9-2 run to re-tie the game at the 5:22 mark.
• It remained a one-point game until back-to-back three-pointers to close out the quarter put the Owls ahead 41-34 with one quarter remaining.
• The Panthers closed the gap to four points, 44-40, with 5:43 left in the contest.
• Keene State pulled away with a 12-point advantage, 52-40, with 4:32 remaining.
• With both teams in the bonus, the final minutes became a free-throw shooting contest, with the Owls keeping the Panthers at bay and securing the conference win.

By the Numbers:

• The Panthers were 17-of-55 (30.9%) from the floor and 4-of-21 (19.0%) from three.
• Keene State edged the Panthers on the boards, 38-37, with PSU favored on the offensive glass, 11-9.
• There were 54 free throws attempted in the match.
• Bench points were low for both teams, with the Owls taking a slim 5-4 margin.
• Points in the paint went to the Panthers, 24-18.
• Keene State has won each of the last seven meetings.

Up Next:

• The Panthers host UMass Dartmouth on Saturday (Jan. 27) at 1:00 p.m. The Corsairs are ranked #24 in the latest WBCA poll and are receiving votes in this week's D3hoops.com poll.

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