Box Score WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – The Eastern Connecticut State University women's basketball team shook off a 25-day layoff by limiting Plymouth State University to six first-half field goals and 15 first-half points in a 61-32 Little East Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium.
At right: Freshman Olivia DelGrosso (12) scored her first collegiate points with two free throws in the final minute of Saturday's 61-32 Little East Conference win over Plymouth State at Geissler Gym.
The pre-season LEC regular-season favorite, Eastern (6-4, 1-1 LEC) rebounded after losing its conference opener at Rhode Island College December 6 by defeating Plymouth (4-5, 0-2 LEC) for the 23rd time in the last 24 meetings. Since capturing three of its first four this year, Plymouth dropped its fourth decision in the last five games. The Panthers had been idle since whipping Salem State University, 70-50, on the road Dec. 11.
The Warriors led from start to finish Saturday, turning ten Plymouth turnovers in the first half into 12 points and a 20-point, 35-15, halftime lead. Junior forward Jill Ritrosky (Pittsfield, MA), the LEC rebounding leader, grabbed six in the first half and nine in the game, and shared team-high scoring hoors with senior forward Shannon McCourt (New Fairfield), with 12. McCourt (7) and sophomore guard Julia DePoi (Brookfield) combined for 15 rebounds, helping the Warriors to a 50-30 advantage on the boards. In addition to eight rebounds, DePoi had seven points and three blocked shots.
All 16 players in uniform saw action for Eastern, with six-foot sophomore center Lindsay Langenauer (Cromwell) seeing her first minutes of the year. Sidelined with a back injury through the first nine games, Langenauer had four rebounds and a bucket in four minutes. Freshman guard Olivia DelGrosso (Ledyard) recorded her first collegiate points with two free throws inside the final minute of play.
Eastern failed on 13 of 14 three-point field goals, but shot nearly 50 percent from two-point range and canned 16 of 23 free throws. The team's 11 turnovers was its third-lowest total of the year. It marked the fourth time this year that Eastern has limited its opponent to less than 35 points.
Senior forward Kelley Collins led Plymouth with game-highs of 13 points and 11 rebounds. She was 4-for-6 from the floor and 5-for-7 from the stripe.
Eastern visits Westfield State University Monday at 5:30 p.m.
