A 24-4 run by Middlebury midway through the first half lifted the Panthers to a 66-48 victory over Plattsburgh tonight in Pepin Gym. Middlebury returns to NESCAC action this weekend as they host their final regular season games against Bowdoin on Friday night and Colby Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 5-3 early in the game, the Panthers went on their decisive run, taking a 28-9 lead at the 5:46 mark. The lead grew to 39-18 at the half, as Maryanne Verzosa scored 10 of her game-high 13 in the first session.

The Cardinals used a full-court press to start the second half and outscored Middlebury 16-10 to cut the lead 49-34. The Panthers never let Plattsburgh back into the game as they built their lead back up over 20 with 6:28 on a three-pointer by Carlie Harrington.

Verzosa led all scorers with 13, Katie Fisher added nine for the Panthers while Jennifer Kelleher and Harrington each scored eight. Yuri Inomata led the Cardinals with nine points and Megan Lynch netted eight.