WBB: Clutch free throws help Panthers rally past Keene State

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University women's basketball team defeated the Keene State College Owls, 54-51, in Little East Conference (LEC) action at Foley Gymnasium on Thursday evening.

It was a timely victory for Plymouth State, which picked up its fifth conference victory and the team's first win over its in-state opponent in the last eight outings.

Keene State entered the fourth quarter with a 42-36 lead, but the Panthers locked down on defense and used an 8-0 run over the first 3:24 to pull ahead, 44-42. The teams traded baskets over the next four minutes, with the score deadlocked at 48-48 with 2:05 remaining.

Plymouth State was outstanding from the free throw line as graduate student Lea Crompton (Dunbarton, N.H.) and senior Lauren Keller (Fort Morgan, Colo.) combined for a perfect 6-of-6 as the Panthers held on for the win. Crompton's free throws gave PSU a 54-51 edge with nine seconds remaining. The Panthers' defense forced Keene State into a deep three in an attempt to pull even, but the shot was off the mark and Keller snagged the rebound to secure the win.

Junior Bri Wilcox (Londonderry, N.H.) led Plymouth State with 12 points, while freshman Ashley Stephens (Pembroke, N.H.) added ten points. A total of nine players contributed to the winning effort for the Panthers.

Plymouth State improves to 9-10 (5-6 LEC) on the season, while the Owls fall to 9-10 (5-6 LEC). The two teams are now tied for fifth in the league, with the top six teams advancing to the LEC Tournament and just four conference games left on the schedule.

The Basics:

• Plymouth State 54, Keene State 51
  • Plymouth State (9-10, 5-6 LEC)
  • Keene State (9-10, 5-6 LEC)

Top Performers:

• Bri Wilcox (16 pts, 5-10 fg, 2-5 3pt, 6 reb, 2 stl)
• Ashley Stephens (10 pts, 5-10 fg, 7 reb, 2 blk)
• Lauren Keller (9 pts, 2-6 fg, 5 reb)
• Raven Premont (8 pts, 2-3 3pt, 5 reb)
• Lea Crompton (4 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast)

How it Happened:

• The Panthers came out hot, hitting three buckets from distance in the first minutes of play to take a 9-0 lead with 7:09 on the clock.
• Keene State responded with a 10-2 run to cut the game to 11-10 with 3:38 left in the first quarter.
• Plymouth State maintained a slim advantage after a high-scoring first quarter, leading 20-18 after the first ten minutes of play.
• The Panthers locked down defensively to start the second quarter, allowing only a single point through the first seven minutes as the team increased the margin to eight points (27-19).
• The Owls came out of nowhere to close out the half with the final 12 points to go up 31-27 at halftime.
• Plymouth State tied things back up at 31-a-piece with at the 7:42 mark in the third quarter.
• Behind a 9-2 run, the Owls jumped back out in front 40-33 with 3:00 minutes to play in the third.
• The Owls continued to lead 42-36 after three quarters of play.
• Plymouth State stayed true to form, opening the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run to go up 44-42 with 6:36 left in regulation.
• The teams found themselves tied at 48-48 with 2:05 left in the contest.
• Plymouth State knocked down six free throws in the final two minutes of play to lock down the crucial conference victory.

By the Numbers:

• Plymouth State went 18-of-55 (32.7%) from the floor and 6-of-19 (31.6%) from three.
• The Panthers outrebounded Keene State 43-35, and 13-10 on the offensive boards.
• Bench points were in PSU's favor, 20-6.
• The teams combined to go 29-of-32 from the free throw line.
• Points in the paint went to the Panthers, 20-12.
• The Panthers snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Owls.

Up Next:

• Plymouth State remains home to celebrate Local Youth Basketball Day on Saturday (Feb. 3). Tipoff against #3 Rhode Island College is set for 1:00 p.m.

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