CASTLETON, Vt. – The Spartans used a suffocating defense to hold Thomas to just two-second half points on the way to a 62-21 victory on Friday evening in Glenbrook Gym. 

Castleton held the Terrier offense to just 17.9 percent shooting overall and forced 35 turnovers in the game to improve to 19-4 and 15-1 in the North Atlantic Conference. The Spartans shot 35.3 percent from the floor in the contest and recorded a season-high 23 steals as well. Thomas, meanwhile, dropped to 2-20 overall and 1-14 in conference action. 

Meghan O'Sullivan scored a team-high 18 points with two rebounds and two steals as each starter swiped at least a pair of steals. Lindsay Sabo was also in double figures with 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Bryanna DuPont had a solid all-around game with eight points, six rebounds and six steals while Mariah Linnett added three steals and one block off the bench. 

Ashleigh Gagne led Thomas with seven points, four rebounds and one steal. Jordan Agger-Barnes added one point, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists while Taylor Reynolds recorded two points, six rebounds and two assists. 

Castleton jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the opening three minutes, but an 8-3 run by the Terriers made it 12-8 on a three from Gagne at 12:24. Eight straight by the Spartans pushed it a 12-point game and Castleton extended its lead to 26-11 on a layup by Makayla Farrara with 6:55 left. Thomas responded with a run to close within ten, 29-19, with 1:09 left in the half before four points from O'Sullivan pushed it back to a 14-point lead, 33-19, at the break. 

Jade Desroches started the second-half scoring with a three and O'Sullivan hit a jumper before Katie McAllister connected on two free throws at 17:21 to cut the deficit to 38-21. Thomas wouldn't score again in the contest as Castleton recorded the final 24 points of the game while subbing liberally over the last ten minutes to secure the 41-point victory. 

Farrara scored nine points with five rebounds and two steals in her first career start while classmate Taylor Raiche had four rebounds and three steals. Desroches dished off seven assists and scored ten points. 

The Spartans can clinch at least a share of their fourth straight NAC regular season championship when they host UMaine Farmington at 2 pm.