NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Castleton University women's basketball team concluded its regular season Wednesday, concluding the season sweep of Norwich with a 57-42 win over the Cadets at Andrews Gym.
Castleton received a career-high 17 points from Taylor Goodell, while Elise Magro added 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. Emilee Bose finished one point shy of a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds, and Brooke Raiche added nine points of her own.
Norwich had just one player reach double figures scoring, as Rachel Botala had 14 points on the night. Riley Bennett added nine points for the Cadets, while Caileigh Travers pulled in a game-high 12 rebounds.
Castleton outshot Norwich, 36.2 percent (21-of-58) to 26.9 percent (14-of-52). The Spartans knocked down threes at a 40.0 percent rate (8-of-20), while Norwich made just 20.0 percent (4-of-20). The Spartans controlled the glass, 42-35, though Norwich had a slight edge in second-chance points.
The two sides went back-and-forth early, as Castleton led 7-3 before Norwich went on a 7-0 run to take a 10-7 lead midway through the opening frame. Castleton closed the quarter on an 8-1 run, however, capped by four straight points from Raiche to take a 15-11 lead into the second quarter.
Norwich bounced right back in the second, opening the frame with yet another 7-0 run to regain the lead, 18-15. The two sides traded blows over the ensuing seven-plus minutes into the halftime break, with Castleton taking a lead into the locker room thanks to a late three by Goodell. Goodell's bucket with just seconds left gave the Spartans a 26-24 edge at halftime.
Castleton started the second half on a 7-0 run of its own, as Magro and Raiche buried threes before Bose knocked down 1-of-2 at the line, giving Castleton a 33-24 lead. The Cadets battled back to just a two-point deficit at 33-31, and later 35-33. Castleton held Norwich to just three points the rest of the quarter, going on an 11-3 run over the final five-plus minutes heading into the final quarter.
Leading 44-36 heading into the final 10 minutes, Castleton continued to build its lead, as Raiche stretched it to a 14-point lead—50-36. Norwich worked the lead back to single digits at 50-42, but Castleton held the Cadets off the board for the final 4:44 of the game to seal the victory, 57-42.
Castleton concludes its COVID-shortened season with a 3-6 record, while Norwich is slated to play Keene State twice in the coming week.
