PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The Middlebury College women’s basketball team improved to 6-3 with an 81-60 victory at SUNY Plattsburgh (3-6) on Wednesday, Dec. 8.

The Panther women’s hoop team’s schedule was not affected, at least immediately, when Middlebury College suspended all athletics on Dec. 9 due to a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. The Plattsburgh game was the last scheduled for the Panthers until Dec. 30, when they are scheduled to travel to Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., assuming Middlebury resumes its sports activities.

On Dec. 8 the Cardinals scored the first five points, but the Panthers soon asserted themselves and closed the quarter on a 7-0 run to lead by 20-13. The lead grew to 31-20 by the half.

A three from Cardinal Mya Smith pulled Plattsburgh to within 53-46 with 4:23 to go in the third period, but Middlebury went on a decisive 10-0 run capped by an Alexa Mustafaj three, and Plattsburgh did not challenge again.

Mustafaj paced Middlebury with 24 points, adding seven rebounds. Bethany Lucey scored 14 points, Claire Miller had 13 points and seven boards, while Gianna Palli grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

Smith led Plattsburgh with a game-high 24 points.