Newton, Mass.- Lasell's Tricia Culver (N. Hampton, Mass.) led all scorers with 18 points but it was Laura Kent (Bellingham, Mass.)  and Amanda Kania (Manchester, NH) who registered 27 points combined to lead Plymouth State University past Lasell, 71-56, in women's basketball action, on Tuesday evening.

The Lasers fell behind early, as the Panthers went on a 10-0 run to open the game in their favor over a four minute stretch.   Lasell brought the game back within three points at 11:17 when Culver powered her way in the post for her first field goal of the game. The iron was kind to Plymouth State in the first half, shooting 40.7% compared to Lasell's 29.6%, and they went up fourteen points with four minutes left, as Sam Naas (South Hero, VT) hit two of two free throws to add to the lead.  JoAnna Bishop (S. Burlington, VT) dropped in the final four points of the half to bring the Lasers within 9 points, at 26-35.

PSU shot even stronger in the second stanza, nailing 51.5% of their shots, however the Lasers finished on 44.8% of their field goals attempts in the second to stay in step with the Panthers.  At 16:03, tandem layups by Bishop and Culver cut the Panther lead to five.  The Lasers held onto a single digit deficit until near the eleven minute mark, when the Panthers went on a 16-3 stretch to take a 16 point advantage to put the game away. 

The Panthers out-rebounded Lasell 41-31 and used their considerable advantage in the post scoring over half their points in the paint.  Culver added 5 rebounds to her 18 total points, and Shauna Kelly (Quincy, Mass.) and Bishop had 13 and 10 points a piece to aid in her efforts.  Kania finished on top for the Panthers with 17 points, while Kent scored the only double-double of the match with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

At the final buzzer, Plymouth State advanced their record to 5-2, while Lasell finished at 2-5.  PSU will play at Lyndon State on Thursday, December 11th, and Lasell will take on Gordon College at home on the same date.  The Lasers tip off at 7:00 p.m.