PLYMOUTH, N.H. — The second-seeded Plymouth State men’s basketball team was upset by seventh-seeded Wheaton College Wednesday, March 5, 86-83 at Foley Gymnasium. It was a very competitive first half with a lot of diving on the floor for lose balls and fouling. The competition was as fierce as the scoring was. Plymouth opted for the inside game while Wheaton went to the outside, draining many three point shots. The half ended with Wheaton having a slight lead over the Panthers, 41-39.
In the second half the game continued to go back and forth with both teams sticking to their game plans. Then with about half way through the second half the Panthers began to unravel creating many unforced errors. With five minutes left to play Plymouth found themselves down by thirteen points with not much momentum in their game. However the Panthers must have brought the rally monkey to the floor as they got within five points (78-74) with two minutes remaining in the game. Plymouth got the score within three (85-83) with nine seconds left in the game and Wheaton freshman guard Sean Kelly to the line, and converted only one of two shots. Plymouth then moved their way down the court as sophomore Anthony Oglesby got a good look from the three- point line, but the shot bounced off the rim as Wheaton upset the Panthers, 86 to 83.
Despite the valiant effort of the Plymouth State College men’s basketball team, the Western Connecticut State University men’s team advanced to their ninth NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship appearance after their 65-63 win over the Panther’s on Saturday, March 1.
The Panthers tied the game up with only seconds left, but the buzzer beater shot didn’t fall for them. Forward Anthony Olglesby and guard Nick Pelotte led the way for Plymouth State with 14 and 13 points respectively. Junior Mike Loughlin added twelve points and sophomore J.J. Truman had ten points for the Panthers.
Coach John Scheinman stated that, “it was the toughest pill to swallow, being so close and not getting there, you never know if you will get there again.” Coach Scheinman, in his fourth season as head coach, has led the Panthers to a very respectable 67-41 record, which is the most wins ever by a Plymouth men’s basketball coach within a four year period.
This was Plymouth State’s second appearance in the LEC Championship game. They lost their first appearance to the same Western Connecticut Colonials in 1999 here at Plymouth State College. The Panthers, at 21-7, finished the LEC in second place with a regular season record of 10-4.
Coach Scheinman, when asked about this year’s team, has nothing but praise. “I enjoy coming to practice every day,” he said. “This is a very good group of kids, personally.” Coach Scheinman also quoted a message he received this season from former Panthers head coach Jimmy Ferry, “we achieved.”
That they did, posting the second best men’s basketball record in school history (21-7). One more win will tie that record. “The team exceeded everyone’s expectations but their own,” Scheinman said.
Western Connecticut State, fresh off their first LEC Championship, will head to the NCAA Championship for the second time in as many years. Colonials junior Marvin Evans was awarded the Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Evans hit the game-winning basket against Plymouth State and finished the game with twelve points and seven rebounds.
Last week Plymouth State powered past Keene State College in the LEC semifinals 82-76 to earn the right to play in the LEC Championship game against Western Connecticut. The Panthers went on a 14-0 run in the first half and led the rest of the way. Plymouth State shot a whopping 54 percent from the field in the second half to hold of Keene State.
Despite a late rally by Keene State that wilted a double digit Panther lead to four points, Plymouth put Keene State away by making seven of their last eight free throws in the last forty seconds. Forward Anthony Olglesby led Plymouth with twenty-four points on 8 for 13 shooting. Senior Kenny Stewart added fifteen points and five assists. Junior Mike Loughlin and sophomore Nick Pelotte each added eleven points.
Plymouth State College is no stranger to standout players as it was announced Monday that guard Nick Pelotte and forward Anthony Olglesby were both named to the All-LEC First team. Olglesby finished the season in the top five in five different categories. Olglesby averaged 15.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals and shot 53.7 percent from the field this season.
Pelotte was also named LEC Co-player of the year (with USM guard Jason Levecque). Pelotte led Plymouth State averaging 18.7 points per game and drained the second most three-pointers in the LEC this season, 66. Pelotte was also named LEC player of the week four times this season.
The Panther’s appearance in the ECAC tournament this year was its eighth overall. With the loss, the Panthers end the season with a record of 21-8.