MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Castleton University women's basketball team fell in road action to wrap up its pre-Thanksgiving slate on Tuesday night, dropping a 73-51 contest at Middlebury College.
The Spartans are now 4-2 on the season while Middlebury improves to 2-2 overall. Castleton shot 19-of-59 from the floor (32.2 percent) and 4-of-15 from three-point range (26.7 percent), while Middlebury countered with 28-of-63 from the field (44.4 percent) and 10-of-22 from three (45.5 percent). The Spartans were better at the free-throw line, making 9-of-13 to Middlebury's 7-of-12. The Panthers controlled the glass 43-34. Both teams protected the ball well, with Castleton having 10 turnovers to Middlebury's eight.
Liz Bailey went 4-of-9 from the floor for a team-high 11 points for Castleton.
Elise Magro had nine points and
Emily Adams added seven.
Felicia Poirier had a team-best six rebounds in addition to her four points.
Middlebury received 28 points from Alexa Mustafaj, who shot 12-of-17 overall. Gabby Stuart was the only other Panther in double figures with 11 points. Gianna Palli led all players in the game with nine rebounds.
Both sides battled evenly in the first quarter, with Middlebury running out to a 9-1 lead before Castleton used a 13-0 run to take a 17-12 lead of its own. Middlebury closed the quarter on a 7-2 run to end the opening 10 minutes all square at 19-19.
The Panthers controlled the second quarter, using a 14-0 run that spanned more than five minutes to run out to a 33-20 lead with four minutes to play in the half. Magro finished a layup to stop the run, but Middlebury again finished the frame on a 7-2 run to carry a 40-24 lead into the locker room.
Magro buried a three to open the second-half scoring, but another seven-point run by Middlebury pushed the gap to 20 points, 47-27. The Panthers continued to pull away, leading 60-35 after three quarters.
Castleton continued to battle in the fourth, outscoring Middlebury 16-13 in the final 10 minutes. 14 of the 16 points in the frame came from Spartan rookies. Adams hit a three to start the quarter, followed by a layup from Magro before
Maggie McKearin hit a three from the right wing. Adams connected again on a jumper before Poirier sank two free throws.
Luna Perry-St. Peter hit three free throws down the stretch to cap the scoring and end the game at 73-51.
Castleton is back in action next Wednesday night at home against Colby-Sawyer at 7 p.m.
