CASTLETON, Vt. – The Spartans gave up just ten second-half points and blocked a season high 16 shots as they shut down Lyndon 75-29 in their North Atlantic Conference opener at Glenbrook Gym on Wednesday evening.

Castleton had three different players block at least three shots in holding the Hornets to just 19.6 percent shooting in the game and just 1-for-20 from the floor in the second half. The Spartans also recorded 18 steals as they improved to 4-1 overall. Lyndon was only outrebounded 39-37 but committed 34 turnovers as the team dropped to 0-4 and 0-1 in the NAC.

Meghan O'Sullivan led a balanced scoring attack in which 11 different players scored. The senior finished with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. Jade Desroches only scored six points but added four assists, four rebounds, four steals and four blocks. Ali Jones, meanwhile, put up 13 points in just 13 first-half minutes.

Senior Emily Gray led Lyndon with nine points, two steals and two rebounds. Aimee Thompson added six points and nine rebounds while Abby Salvadore chipped in with three points, two rebounds and two steals. 

Castleton started the second half on an 8-0 spurt and kept Lyndon scoreless until a pair of free throws by Sarah Cornell made it 55-21 with 13:54 in the period. The Spartans scored another nine straight and eventually pushed the lead to 47, 71-24, with 6:49. Castleton subbed liberally over the final seven minutes and every player finished with a rebound or a point.The Spartans opened the game on a 9-2 run over the first 3:46 of the contest and pushed their lead to 14-4 a minute later on a triple from Jones at 15:24. The leading 17-8, Castleton scored eight straight and kept Lyndon scoreless until Abby Salvadore made it 25-10 with 8:49 left in the half. The Spartans kept rolling with a 13-2 run over the next four minutes to extend their lead to 38-12 with just under six minutes remaining. Castleton continued to push the pace and a pair of Desroches free throws gave the Spartans a 28-point lead, 47-19, going into the break.

Amanda Beatty came off the bench to provide eight points, four rebounds, three blocks and one steal while classmate Makayla Farrara added five points, three blocks, two steals and two rebounds. Fellow freshman Taylor Raiche added six points five rebounds, one block and one steal. Sophomore Lindsay Sabo also reached double figures with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.

The Spartans return to action on Saturday at 1 pm when they travel to face New England College.