SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Castleton came up just short in its first game of the season, dropping a hard-fought 73-65 contest to Skidmore on Tuesday evening at the Williamson Center. 

Connor Merrill and Aldin Medunjanin combined for 34 points, 17 rebounds, and six blocked shots to lead the Thoroughbreds as they improve to 2-0 with the win The Spartans, meanwhile, drop to 0-1. 

Chad Copeland led three Castleton players in double figures with 16 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. Rob Coloutti had 15 points, four triples and three assists while Carnelius Green added 10 points, six rebounds and three steals. Freshman Pavin Parrish was solid in his debut with nine points, five rebounds and three assists. 

Merrill led all scorers with 19 points to go along with seven rebounds and four blocks.  Medunjanin had his second straight double-double, with 15 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks in a strong all-around effort 

The Spartans took an early 7-4 lead, behind four points from Copeland and a three-pointer from Coloutti, but Skidmore quickly went on an 11-0 run to pull in front 15-7. The Thoroughbreds wouldn't trail again in the contest. 

Nanribet Yiljep hit a three-pointer to start the run. Perun Kovacevic scored the next five points with a three and a layup off an offensive rebound. Merrill capped the run with a three of his own with 13:03 left in the first half. 

Skidmore led by as many 10 in the half, but Castleton hung around, cutting the lead to four, 35-31 on a put back by Copeland with 43 second to play. Medunjanin responded with a jumper as the shot clock expired to give the Thoroughbreds a 37-31 lead at the break. 

The Spartans came out strong to start the second half, using a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to 42-40 with 16:33 to play.  Skidmore countered with a 10-0 run to open it up 52-40.  The Castleton couldn't pull closer than eight the rest of the way as the dropped it 73-65. 

Castleton shot just 38.1 percent in the contest and went 6-for-19 from downtown while the Thoroughbreds went 44.4 from the field. The visitors only turned the ball over eight times, compared to ten for Skidmore. 

The Spartans return to action on Friday when they host MCLA at 7 pm in Glenbrook Gym.