The Panthers got 73 of their 88 points from their top four scorers, who all finished with between 16 and 22 points. PSU won for the 12th time in its last 14 outings, improving to 14-5 overall, while Bowdoin fell to 8-10. The game was originally scheduled for Jan. 6, but was postponed due to winter weather.
PSU senior Nick Pelotte (Bingham, Maine) led all scorers with 22 points, along with a season-high eight assists. Sophomore Andreas Pope (Brooklyn, N.Y.) posted his 10th double-double of the season with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while sophomore Mike Walcek (Dover, N.H.) reached career-highs with 17 points and 13 rebounds, marking his first career double-double. Junior Kevin Boutilier (North Andover, Mass.) was also a solid contributor with 16 points and eight boards.
Bowdoin had four players finish in double figures as well. Junior Kyle Petrie (Iowa City, Iowa) led the way with 16 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, while sophomore John Goodridge (Merrimack, N.H.) added 13 points off the Polar Bears’ bench. Sophomore Kevin Bradley (Seekonk, Mass.) chipped in with 12 points, and freshman Andrew Hippert (Spencer, Mass.) finished with 11.
Both teams started slowly, with neither unit scoring for nearly three minutes. Later in the half, PSU went on a 21-3 spurt to open up a 32-14 lead with six minutes to go, but Bowdoin battled back to cut the margin to 11 points (42-31) at the intermission.
The Panthers maintained a double-digit lead through most of the second half, but Bowdoin whittled what was a 19-point deficit (64-45) down to seven points (77-70) with 3:13 to play. The Polar Bears converted only one basket the rest of the way, though, and PSU sealed the victory by making seven of nine free throws down the stretch.
PSU outrebounded the visitors, 59-43, and held the Bowdoin offense to a 31.3 shooting percentage.
Plymouth State plays another non-conference home game on Thursday at Foley Gymnasium, hosting Johnson & Wales (7:00 p.m.) Bowdoin returns home to host Wesleyan on Friday (7:00 p.m.)
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