The Plymouth Lady Panthers played a hard-fought game despite the loss. The Keene State Owls defeated the Panthers, 60-57, in a Little East Conference game at Foley Gymnasium.
Keene State began the game with an early seven-point lead and a lead that would be the largest in the game. Plymouth State fought back, tying the game 14-14. The game was back and forth from that point on, with six different lead changes in the first half. After a final second lay-up, Keene held the lead at 28-27 at the half.
The visiting Owls made a three point shot within seconds of the start of the second half, but senior Krystin Corliss matched the shot the next time down the court. The game remained tight until Keene pulled a small six-point lead, 41-35, with fourteen minutes remaining. Plymouth responded with a 12-5 run taking the lead, 47-46. With 4:10 remaining on the clock, Keene sophomore Taylor Perry hit a three to tie that game at 50-all.
With the Owls up 56-52 and forty seconds remaining, Plymouth freshman DeAsia Lawrence hit a free throw to make it a one-possession game. Keene pushed it down the court for a lay-up giving the Owls a five-point lead.
The Panthers’ Kristen Hrubowchak hit one free throw with twelve seconds remaining to make it a 58-54 gam. Keene was able to hit two free throws the next possession, to extend their lead to six. Plymouth hit a three to cut the lead to three, but wouldn’t come any closer.
Lawrence led the Panthers with sixteen points and three assists. Sophomore Tiffany Lewis contributed seven points, eight rebounds and three assists in the effort.
The Plymouth State Panthers return to the floor Saturday at 1:00 pm at Eastern Connecticut State University in a Little East Conference game.