CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's basketball team was unable to weather a second-half surge by Plymouth State University, falling 71-67 in a Little East Conference battle on Wednesday night at Glenbrook Gymnasium.

VTSU Castleton came out firing as Will Radcliff converted back-to-back and-one opportunities, giving the Spartans a 17-6 lead midway through the first half. The hosts extended their advantage to 22-6 behind a Radcliff three-pointer and a Zach Thompson layup. Plymouth State responded with four straight points from Kevin Newton-Delgado to cut the deficit to 12 at the 10:17 mark.

The Spartans stayed hot from beyond the arc, sinking five three-pointers in the closing minutes of the half, capped by a Joe Buxton triple to give Castleton a 43-24 lead at halftime. Buxton and Conner McKearin each knocked down two three-pointers, while Troy Butler added another.

Plymouth State flipped the script in the second half, opening with a 17-6 run in the first eight minutes to trim the Castleton lead to 49-41. The teams traded baskets before the Panthers found their rhythm, scoring seven straight points to cut the deficit to three (59-56). Butler briefly stopped the run with a bucket, but Plymouth answered with five more points to tie the game at 61-61.

The Panthers took control with a pair of Jayden Montgomery free throws, taking a 65-63 lead that they would not relinquish. Plymouth State extended its advantage to four points in the final minutes, securing the 71-67 comeback victory.

Despite early foul trouble and a second-half technical foul, Radcliff led Castleton with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and four steals, recording another double-double. The junior was efficient, shooting 5-of-8 from the field, 1-of-1 from three, and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.

McKearin followed with 14 points, while Butler and Justin Schwarzbeck each contributed 13 points. Schwarzbeck also grabbed nine rebounds, second only to Radcliff on the glass.

Castleton will hit the road on Saturday as it travels to Eastern Connecticut State University for a 12 p.m. LEC matchup