DANBURY, Conn. - The Western Connecticut State University Wolves came tied the game during a fourth quarter comeback but fell short in a 79-70 setback against the visiting Plymouth State University Panthers in the Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball opener for both teams this afternoon at Feldman Arena. WestConn drops to 1-6 overall while the Panthers improve to 5-2. Senior C Gabrielle Franks (Madison, Conn.) had 24 points and 10 rebounds and Nicole Peralta (North Windham, Maine) added 18 points, including five three-pointers, for the Wolves who visit LEC rival UMass-Boston next on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

WestConn trailed, 62-52, after three quarters but fought their way back with a 6-0 run late in the fourth to tie the game at 67-all at the 3:07 mark.  Franks scored all six Wolves points on a two layups and two free throws, but Plymouth State answered on a drive by Alli Ingalls to go back ahead, 69-67, WestConn senior guard Nicole Vivian (New Milford, Conn.) made a free throw to make it, 69-68, with 2:29 on the clock but the Panthers scored the next six points and pulled away late on free throws.

The first quarter featured fast-paced offense, as the teams played to a 22-22 tie.  WestConn took a 10-5 lead on a Franks layup with 5:15 on the clock but Plymouth State scored the next five points and neither team led by more than two points until the first break.  The Panthers pulled ahead, 35-25, in the second quarter but the Wolves clawed back and trailed just, 43-37 at the break on a long trey with six seconds remaining by Peralta.  In the third quater, Plymouth State opened up a 13-point lead late but a traditional three-point play in the final by Franks cut the Wolves deficit back to 10.

Franks was a force, making nine of 14 shots from the floor, blocking three shots and making two steals in addition to her 10 boards.  Peralta was 7-for-11 from the field and 5-for-8 from long range, while Vivian finished with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.  Plymouth State's Bri Wilcox led all scorers with 28 points, Lea Crompton had 13 points and nine assists, and Sabrina Vlahovic contributed 10 points and a team-high seven boards.  The Panthers made half of their 20 attempts from beyond the arc.