New London, NH – The Castleton State College men's basketball team recovered from a 16-point second half deficit to defeat Colby-Sawyer College 72-68 on Tuesday evening. With the win, the Spartans even their record to 3-3, while the Chargers drop to 3-2.

The first half was back and forth for the first 13 minutes including five lead changes and four ties, but the Chargers ended the frame on an 11-6 run to lead 37-29 at the break. Colby-Sawyer took advantage of 14 Castleton first-half turnovers, turning them into 10 points. However, the Spartans kept the game close with 41% shooting from the field. Sophomore Derick Faragon (Schenectady, N.Y.) led all players in the first half with 11 points.

The Chargers increased their eight point half-time lead to 16 four minutes into the second stanza. However, the Spartans cut the lead to six after a 10-0 run over the next two minutes. The Chargers built another 12 point cushion after senior Chris Cox (Graniteville, Vt.) scored six straight Chargers points. Cox finished with 10 points on 4-5 shooting.

With 7:20 remaining in the game, the Chargers had an 11 point lead. Once again Castleton responded with an offensive spurt going on a 15-2 run to take a 66-64 lead with under four minutes to play. Colby-Sawyer senior Jon Chaloux (Barre, Vt.) brought the Chargers within a bucket at 70-68 with under a minute to play, but sophomore Jared Paul (Tampa, Fla.) iced the game with a pair of free throws with three seconds left.

The Spartans were led by the game-high 21 points of Faragon on 8 of 18 shooting. He was the only Castleton player in double-figures, but they had 11 players in the scoring column.

Colby-Sawyer was led by Jon Chaloux's second double-double of the season with team-highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds. He made all nine of his free throws. Freshman Jason Chevrefils (Manchester, N.H.) poured in 16 points. Freshman Corey Willis (Easton, Mass.) recorded a game-high seven assists. 

The Chargers travel to Bowdoin on Thursday with a 7:30pm tip time. The Spartans compete in the Bard College Tournament this weekend and will play Bard on Friday evening at 6:00 pm.