Men's Basketball Tripped Up At Plymouth State

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Elms College men's basketball team to host Plymouth State, 89-70, in a non-conference clash at Foley Gymnasium Tuesday night. The Blazers dip to 1-8 on the season, while the Panthers improve to 7-3.

Plymouth State controlled an early 6-2 advantage, but a three-pointer from Elms senior Symon Smith (Oklahoma City, Okla.) handed the Blazers their first lead of the contest, 10-8, at the 14:43 mark. The Panthers regained an 18-12 lead over the next two-plus minutes behind six points from senior Jack Preston (Nashua, N.H.). Elms evened the scoreboard twice behind buckets from senior Trifon Bish (St. Catherine, Jamaica) and freshman Spencer Douglas (Hollywood, Fla.), but Plymouth State held an edge as layup from Preston sandwiched a trey from freshman Jaylen Leroy (Manchester, N.H.) to give the Panthers a 33-29 lead. Plymouth State closed the first half on an 11-5 run, featuring six points from senior Curtis Arsenault (Berlin, N.H.), to push the Panthers to a 44-34 lead at the break.

Plymouth State padded their advantage in the early minutes of the second half, orchestrating a 15-3 run capped by a three-pointer from Arsenault at the 14:27 mark to make it a 59-37 game. Smith knocked down back-to-back buckets for the Blazers with 12 minutes to go to trim the gap to 67-46. Plymouth State junior Max Coleman (Londonberry, N.H.) netted consecutive baskets with seven minutes remaining to give the Panthers their largest lead of the game, 78-52. Smith scored seven straight points for Elms to cut into the deficit but the Blazers would fall short down the stretch, suffering the 89-70 setback.

Smith led all scorers with a game-high 26 points, shooting 4-of-7 from three-point range, with four rebounds and three assists to pace the Blazers. Senior Conny Ihearahu (Largo, Md.) tallied 15 points, five rebounds and four blocks, while freshman DeAngelo Cousar (Bowie, Md.) added nine points, three rebounds and three steals.

The Panthers had 12 players register points in the win, led by a double-double effort by Preston with 22 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Arsenault recorded 14 points behind a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor, while sophomore Mike Osgood (Nashua, N.H.) chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and two steals. Leroy and Coleman contributed nine points apiece.

The Panthers controlled the glass, 52-22, during the contest. Elms connected on 40.7 % (24-of-59) from the floor, including 42.1% (8-of-19) from three-point range, and 63.6% (14-of-22) from the free throw line. Plymouth State shot 56.5% (39-of-69) from the field, 38.9 % (7-of-18) from three-point range, and 57.1% (4-of-7) from the charity stripe.

The Blazers will look to return to the win column when they host Rhode Island College Thursday night at Picknelly Arena at 7:00 p.m. Plymouth State hosts Green Mountain Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

ELMS BASKETBALL