PLYMOUTH, N.H. - The New England College women's basketball team earned its second win of the season on Thursday night, defeating the Plymouth State University Panthers 73-65 in a non-conference matchup.
The Pilgrims set the tone early in the opening quarter, jumping out to a 10-3 lead behind a layup from junior Nyah Belton (Colton, Calif.) and three-pointer from senior Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.). Both teams traded baskets through the quarter, but junior Camryn Lewis (Taunton, Mass.) powered into the paint for another layup to the 'Grims head 12-5. NEC capitalized on the Panthers turnover, as senior Macy Gordon (Boscawen, N.H.) found senior Ajayah Lively (Victorville, Calif.) who knocked down the three-pointer, extending the lead to double digits. The quarter closed with Lewis converting a layup in the final seconds, sending NEC into the break with a 20-7 lead.
The Panthers continued to battle, looking for opportunities to chip away at the 'Grims lead, but NEC's strong defensive presence made every possession difficult for Plymouth State. Elli Cox broke through for a layup to narrow the gap, but McDonald answered immediately with a three-pointer to maintain the lead. The teams continued to trade baskets throughout the quarter, and a pair of late Panther shots cut the lead to 37-22 heading into halftime.
Belton opened the third-quarter scoring for NEC, attacking the paint for a layup. Plymouth State answered quickly, hitting back-to-back threes from Sophie George and Ashley Stephens to cut the lead to 39-28 with 8:55 remaining. The 'Grims kept the offense moving as the quarter wore on, but the Panthers began to find their rhythm, trimming the lead to single digits. The Pilgrims responded with consecutive three-pointers from sophomore Ter'Nazia Elvine (Cochran, Ga.) and junior Xitlali Montesino (Watsonville, Calif.) to push the lead back to double digits with 2:10 left in the frame. Cox hit a pair of free throws in the closing seconds for the Panthers, but NEC carried a 54-41 advantage into the final quarter.
The Panthers opened the final quarter with a quick 5-0 run, but Belton answered driving into the paint for a layup and completing the three-point play at the line, pushing NEC's lead back into double digits. Plymouth State continued to fight, connecting on several key shots, but a layup by junior Jayden Estrada (La Mirada, Calif.) kept the Pilgrims in control. The Panthers kept pressing, knocking down baskets to cut the lead to 69-65 with 1:28 remaining, putting pressure on the 'Grims defense. NEC responded as Gordon found Montesino for a clutch layup to extend the lead. Late fouls by Plymouth State sent the Pilgrims to the free-throw line, where they secured the 73-65 victory.
Lewis led the Pilgrims with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and one assist while Estrada added 12 points, three rebounds, and six assists. Belton contributed 10 points, two rebounds, and a steal and Lively tallied 10 points, eight rebounds, and a steal.
The Pilgrims will take the next week off, returning to action on December 3rd as they travel to South Hadley, Massachusetts to face Mount Holyoke College with a 7:00 PM tip off.
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