CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's basketball team tipped off the season in a positive manner on Friday night, coasting to a 59-42 win over the University of Maine-Farmington in the first round of the Spartan Classic at Glenbrook Gym.
The Spartans (1-0) shot 31.1 percent as a team in the contest and made 11-of-14 at the free-throw line to help head coach
Kathleen Payne earn the first victory of her head coaching career in the season opener. The defense stifled the Beavers' offensive opportunities, limiting UMF (0-2) to just 18.8 percent shooting on the night. UMF was solid at the line as well, hitting 15-of-20. Castleton dominated the rebound battle, 61-46. That margin included a 20-14 edge on offensive rebounds that led to 21 second-chance points.
Elise Magro led Castleton with 21 points and five assists in only 26 minutes, with
Liz Bailey adding 13 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in 23 minutes.
Kathryn Moore had a game-high 13 rebounds.
Emily Adams chipped in seven points and eight rebounds, while
Stasia Epler debuted with seven points and five boards.
Arianna Coombs had four points and five rebounds in her first collegiate game, and Schuyler Nolan chipped in five rebounds and three assists.
Ruby McMinis led the Beavers with eight points, followed by Jaycie Stevens and Grace Dwyer with seven each. Sarah Poli and Jessica Dow had eight rebounds each.
The Spartans took an early lead and never looked back, leading 25-6 at the end of the first quarter thanks to points from six different players. VTSU Castleton held Farmington to just 2-of-15 shooting in the frame and made 10-of-21 on offense to take the commanding lead. The game opened with Castleton on a 16-0 run, capped consecutive layups from Epler, Bailey, Adams and Coombs.
The game was fairly level the rest of the way with Castleton working in a rotation of lineups on the court. Both sides scored eight points in the second quarter, with UMF gaining a pair of points in the third quarter thanks to a 16-14 edge. The final 10 minutes were square once again with each team scoring 12 points in the last 10 minutes.
Castleton will take on Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Spartan Classic championship game. New England College and UMF will battle at 1 p.m. in the consolation game.
