DANBURY, Conn. - The Western Connecticut State University women's basketball team, which led by 34 points in the closing minutes of the third quarter, held on to defeat visiting Plymouth State University, 67-57, on Jody Rajcula Day at Feldman Arena on Saturday afternoon.

A lay-up from senior forward Katelyn Fanning (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.), with 2:24 remaining in the third stanza gave the hosts a 59-25 leads and seemingly a chance to cruise through the final quarter.  The duo of Sabrina Viahovic (New Hope, Pa.) and Jalen Cook (Monkton, Vt.) for the Panthers had other ideas.  The combo combined for 19 points while the visitors outscored WestConn, 28-6 over the final 10 minutes.  Cook finished with a game-high 18 points while Viahovic chipped in 13 points.

WestConn, now 6-2 overall and 1-0 in the Little East Conference, were paced by Fanning and Ashley Rilley (Orangeburg, N.Y.) each netted a team-high 10 points for the winners.

Sophomore Gabrielle Franks (Madison, Conn.) was one of the WestConn players with eight points and pulled down a team-high 10 caroms.  Nicole Vivian (New Milford, Conn.) and Maggie Nardini (Sandwich, Mass.) each had eight points for WestConn.

Junior Autumn Nelson (Weare, N.H.) collected a game-high 13 rebounds for the Panthers.

WestConn's only glaring advantage when looking at the final statistics was a 25-12 points advantage from its bench personnel.  It held leads of 37-18 at half-time and 61-29 bulge after three periods.

The women get right back into action this Tuesday, December 7 when it travels to University of Massachusetts Boston for a league meeting with the Beacons.  Game time is slated for 5:30 pm

Plymouth State visits Colby College for a non-conference battle on Monday, December 6.  Game time with the Mules is set for 7 pm in Waterville, Me.

Following the game, WestConn celebrated the career of former women's basketball legendary head coach Jody Rajcula with an induction ceremony into the Class of 2021 Little East Conference Hall of Fame.  Rajcula built the women's basketball team into one of the premiere programs in New England during her 21 seasons on the bench from 1981-2002. She posted a career record of 383-168 (.695) that included 10 20-win seasons and led WestConn to 16 consecutive postseason appearances (1984-2000), which included 10 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament berths and six trips to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament.