Former Raider Bri Wilcox led Plymouth State with 19 points in a 49-48 win over Rivier on Tuesday night in Nashua. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Plymouth State downed the Rivier University women’s basketball team 49-48 on a last-second bucket by Ashley Stephens in non-conference action on Tuesday night at Muldoon Gymnasium.

The Raiders fell to 2-2 overall while the Panthers improved to 2-1 on the season.

Traling 23-17 at the half, the Panthers went on a 6-0 run to open the third quarter, tying the score at 23-all. Plymouth St. would take the lead 26-23 on a 3-pointer by former Raider Briana Wilcox From there, there would be three additional lead changes over the remainder of the frame as Rivier held a one-point advantage after three quarters.

After the Raiders got the lead back up to seven on a Grumblatt layup off a PSU turnover, the Panthers went on a 9-2 run over the next 3:10 to tie the game back up at 46-46 with 1:54 to play. Wilcox gave Plymouth St. the lead back on a free throw, which was negated by an Anna Stenger free throw with 12 seconds to go.

With the clock winding down and the Panthers with the ball, Stephens made a turnaround layup with two seconds remaining to put the visitors ahead for their second win of the season.

Riv’s Lyric Grumblatt finished with a team-high 14 points to go along with two assists and one steal. Wilcox led the way for Plymouth St., scoring 19 points while nabbing four steals. Grumblatt led all scorers with seven points following the first half as she knocked down three field goals, including a three-pointer, to help Rivier to a 23-17 halftime lead. The Panthers shot 0-for-12 from behind the arc in the opening 20 minutes of action.

Rivier will return to action in Muldoon Gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 18 against WPI with tip-off slated for 2:00 p.m.