CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University men's basketball team is feeling extra thankful as it earned its first win of the 2024-25 season, taking down Colby-Sawyer College 83-69 on Tuesday evening.

Colby-Sawyer was able to build a lead early, ahead 15-11 (13:18). VTSU Castleton answered with a 13-point run to go up 23-15 (9:34). The run was charged by five points from both Tray Blount and Justin Schwarzbeck. The squads continued to trade threes as Castleton owned a 50-42 advantage heading into the break.

The Chargers worked to bring the deficit to two-points, 59-57 (14:06).

A 17-5 run in favor of the Spartans saw them with their biggest lead of the contest, 14 points, to make it 76-42 with 5:17 remaining on the game clock.

Castleton was able to maintain its 14-point lead as Will Radcliff owned the last two points of the contest on a tipin layup to make it 83-69.

It was Ben Seiler who led the Spartans' offensive efforts as he posted a team-best 20 points, going 6-for-8 from the field and 4-for-5 from three-point land. Seiler also had three assists, two rebounds and one steal.

Radcliff helped his squad to put up 13 second chance points with his five offensive rebounds (4 defensive). He was second in scoring with 18 points, and a team-high five assists.

Castleton put up 28 points off turnovers, as Zach Thompson owned five steals, Schwarzbeck recorded three of his own.

The latter finished the day with 16 points, nine rebounds and one block.

Also strong off the boards was Blount with his nine grabs, one shy of a double-double as he collected 11 points.

VTSU Castleton will pause for the Thanksgiving Break before to returning to action Wednesday December 4, as it travels to Western Connecticut for a 7 p.m. conference-opening contest.