CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton University women's basketball team suffered a late defeat on Saturday evening, falling by a final score of 74-72 to UMaine Farmington at Glenbrook Gym in the Spartan Classic.
The Beavers' Alex Bessey knocked down two free throws with four seconds left on the clock, giving UMF the late lead.
Ryleigh Coloutti's last-second shot at the opposite end of the court bounced off the iron as the horn sounded, dropping Castleton to 1-2 on the season. UMF is now 1-0.
Castleton shot 36.2 percent (25-of-69) as a team, including 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from three. The Spartans also made 15-of-20 (75 percent) at the free-throw line. The Beavers posted a 27-of-69 day from the field (39.1 percent) and shot 9-of-25 (36.0 percent) from three. They drained 11-of-12 at the line (91.7 percent). The rebound battle was nearly even, with UMF holding a 47-43 edge and both teams grabbing 15 offensive boards. UMF turned it over 24 times to Castleton's 22, but the Beavers took advantage of Spartan miscues to the tune of 26 points, while Castleton managed just 18 points off UMF turnovers.
Ryleigh Coloutti had a game-high 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting, including five threes for Castleton. She added six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Kelly Vuz added 16 points and four assists, while
Olivia Perry reached double digits with 10 points.
Gwyn Tatton was unstoppable on the glass, grabbing 15 rebounds for the Spartans.
Elise Magro added nine points, five assists and four steals, but fouled out late in the contest.
Tia Day led the Beavers in scoring with 19 points while adding five assists. Makayla Wilson and Page Brown netted 12 points apiece, with McKenna Brodeur scoring 11 and Alex Bessey 10. Bessey did most of her damage at the free throw line, going 6-of-6 from the stripe including the game-winning free throws. She was limited to just 19 minutes after getting into early foul trouble. Molly Folsom pulled in 11 rebounds to lead the Beavers.
UMF dominated the first quarter, racing out to a 24-10 lead after the opening 10 minutes. Castleton eliminated the lead entirely in the second quarter, tying the game at 38-38 after a 9-0 run late in the second quarter. Wilson drained a three with 20 seconds left in the half, however, sending UMF to the locker room leading by three, 41-38.
The two sides continued to battle closely in the third quarter, with Castleton taking its first lead of the game on a three by Coloutti, 50-48. The lead lasted less than 30 seconds, as Brodeur answered with a three of her own on the other end to out UMF ahead 51-50. The triple by Brodeur sparked an 11-0 Beaver run and put the visitors on top 59-50. Tatton scored on a second-chance layup at the close of the third quarter, sending the game into the final 10 minutes with the Spartans trailing by seven.
The Beavers' lead quickly evaporated, with Castleton opening the final frame on a 7-0 run, including a game-tying three by Coloutti to make it 59-59. The two sides traded baskets back and forth for the next two minutes before Castleton moved out in front for the second time in the game when Perry finished a layup in transition. Coloutti buried a three on the next possession to extend the lead to five, and a layup by Vuz pushed the Spartan lead to its largest margin of seven points with 4:15 to play, 70-63.
Castleton would find the bottom of the basket just one more time in the contest, as Magro knocked down a jumper to keep the lead at seven points with 3:28 remaining. The Beavers kept Castleton off the board from there, closing the game on a 9-0 run and coming out on top 74-72.
Castleton will take on Thomas College in the final game of the Spartan Classic Sunday at 3 p.m. UMF will play New England College at 1 p.m. at Glenbrook Gym as part of the Spartan Classic.
