HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's basketball team lost a hard fought non-conference game over the Plymouth State University Panthers on Thursday at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire.
THE BASICS
Score: Plymouth State University 69, New England College 58
Records: Panthers 3-8, 0-3 LEC | Pilgrims 6-7, 0-2 GNAC
TURNING POINTS
- The PSU offense was clicking early on in the game as they obtained 9-2 advantage over the 'Grims with 6:24 remaining in the first quarter. NEC was able to respond with back-to-back layups scored by senior forward Gabriella Matlock (Tulare, Calif.) and sophomore guard Bailey Burke (New Bedford, Mass.) to bring them within three, 9-6 that left 5:09 on the clock for NEC to work with. Towards the end of the quarter at 3:10 the Panthers made it a five-point game in their favor after PSU junior guard Raegan Peck (Dudley, Mass.) connected on two shots from behind the arc, 15-10. NEC's defense did all they could to slow down the scoring of the Panthers as they only scored four more points while the 'Grims tacked on six to still keep them within three within three, 19-16.
- NEC came out with an immediate answer for the beginning of the second quarter as junior guard Macy Gordon (Boscawen, N.H.) cashes a three point shot for the tie in the first eight seconds of action, 19-19. The 'Grims would let things slip away slightly as the Panthers went on a 5-0 run but would make up for it scoring five consecutive points of their own to even things back up after a three pointer was scored by junior guard Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) at 5:47, 24-24. McDonald would go on to score the next five points for the 'Grims making it eight consecutive points on her behalf to help give NEC the lead at 4:50, 29-24. This didn't seem to phase PSU as the Panthers executed a late 8-0 run that earned them the one-point lead going into halftime only allowing the 'Grims to score once with the time remaining. 32-31.
- The third quarter was a competitive outing with neither side showing signs of giving in. The 'Grims were just a step behind the Panthers as it seemed they had answer for everything the 'Grims threw at them as both PSU junior guard Elli Cox (Deerfield, N.H.) and sophomore forward Ashley Stephans (Pembroke, N.H.) who had four points each respectively between the two of them. The defense of NEC didn't have an answer for PSU Cox down the stretch as she would connect on a jump shot and layup to keep her team out in front by the end of the third quarter, 44-43.
- Scoring in the fourth quarter was back and fourth with both teams trying gain an advantage over the other. At 6:59 PSU graduate Alessia Salzillo (Saugus, Mass.) would hit a three point shot that would have a quick response as junior guard Ajayah Lively (Victorville, Calif.) would answer with a jump shot to tie the game at 6:45, 49-49. NEC's scoring efforts were hard to come by while PSU made it seem effortless on their behalf as junior guard Sophie George (Meredith, N.H.) at splashes home another three for the Panthers to make it a five-point game, 55-50. PSU would finish the job as they managed to put together a7-0 run that NEC could not come back from solidifying their victory on the evening over the 'Grims, 69-58.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC MacDonald secured the team-high on the night scoring 14 points along with five rebounds and an assist. Burke would follow up that performance with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists for herself.
- PSU George was the player to shine the brightest tonight on the floor scoring the game-high of 20 points. Junior forward Hailey Malozzi (Maynard, Mass.) recorded 11 points while Salzillo had 10 on the evening.
- Turnovers put the 'Grims in a bad position as they recorded 23 while PSU kept it to 13.
- The Panthers were able to make the most of their free throw opportunities in this matchup going 15-for-24 while NEC went 4-for-6.
- Three pointers proved to be a factor as the Panthers were 10-for-31 resulting in 32.3 percent, NEC recorded 4-for-19 resulting in 21.1 percent in that area.
- NEC took control of the glass as they grabbed 49 rebounds compared to the 38 secured by PSU.
- The 'Grims were able to make their presence known in the paint for not just rebounding but being able to score down low as they finished with 28 points in that category as PSU had 12 points.
UP NEXT
- Up next for NEC, the team will be playing a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) game against Rivier University from the Muldoon Center in Nashua, New Hampshire on Saturday, January 11th at 2:00 PM.
- PSU will be on the road at Rhode Island College on Saturday, January 11th at 1:00 PM.
For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
