Springfield, MA -The Castleton State College men's basketball team dropped a 90-50 non-conference match-up with Bates College in the opening round of the Holiday Inn Naismith Classic hosted by Springfield College.

Castleton struggled to stop a balanced Bates offense that placed 14 players in the scoring column, including three in double figures. John Squires led the 5-4 Bobcats with 12 points off the bench on 5-of-7 shooting. Jimmy O'Keefe and Sean Wirth joined Squires in double figures with 10 apiece.

Seth Harrington led the 0-8 Spartans with 16 points, while Kevin Cayea added 15. Harrington canned 3-of-4 from beyond the three-point stripe and hauled in five rebounds, including four on the offensive end.

Castleton will take on host Springfield in the consolation round of the tournament at 3:00 pm on Saturday. Springfield dropped the second game of the tournament 80-68 to Becker College. The Spartans squared off with the Pride to open the season in the Elms College Tip-Off Tournament, with Springfield taking a 71-61 win.