CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's basketball team took down UMaine-Farmington in the opening contest of the Spartan Classic on Friday afternoon, 76-67.
Emily Adams and
Stasia Epler recorded double-doubles in the victory.
Despite UMaine-Farmington finding the scoreboard first, VTSU Castleton took the lead at 9:15 off an Epler three and never looked back.
The Beavers were able to cut the lead to one with 55 seconds remaining in the quarter, but buckets by Adams and
Emily Dingmon helped to extend it to five (22-17).
Castleton was able to maintain at least a four-point lead throughout the second quarter, seeing an eight-point lead with 6:09 remaining on the clock, helped along by an Adams three. It weathered all UM-F attempts, ahead 39-32 at the half.
The Spartans posted four points on a layup by
Arianna Coombs and a pair of Epler points at the charity stripe to kick off the third stanza.
They were able to extend their lead to 14 points on a layup by
Maggie Parker to make it 51-37 (3:12).
The Beavers put up a six-point run of their own before being halted by a jumper from Adams with 29 seconds remaining (53-42).
Quarter four read much like the previous three, seeing VTSU Castleton lead for the entirety.
Maggie McKearin helped to ensure this as she posted five points in 59 seconds to make it 69-57.
While UM-F was able to outscore the hosts 8-5 through the waning minutes, Castleton hung on for the win.
The Spartans were phenomenal off the boards, recording 14 second chance points.
It was Adams and Epler who led their team with their double-doubles.
Adams had a team-best 25 points and 10 rebounds, five of which were offensive. Epler was second in scoring with 21 points, while matching the former's 10 boards. They both recorded three steals.
Also proving helpful in the win was Dingmon with her team-leading eight assists. She paired this with her nine points and eight rebounds.
VTSU Castleton will return to action in the final contest of the 2024-25 installment of the Spartan Classic as it takes on Hartwick College in a 3 p.m. contest. UMaine-Farmington and RPI will play in the 1 p.m. slot.
