CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's basketball team earned a hard-fought 61-57 victory over Little East Conference opponent Rhode Island College on Saturday afternoon, securing their first LEC win of the season.
The Basics
Final Score: VTSU Castleton 61, Rhode Island College 57
Location: Glenbrook Gymnasium – Castleton, Vt.
Records: VTSU Castleton 6-14, 1-10 LEC | Rhode Island College 11-9, 7-4 LEC
How It Happened
Castleton got on the board first when
Will Radcliff found
Conner McKearin for an open layup. The teams traded baskets throughout much of the first, with neither side able to pull away in a low-scoring stretch of play. With just under five minutes remaining,
Zach Thompson knocked down a three-pointer to give the Spartans their largest lead of the half.
Castleton later found themselves in foul trouble, allowing Rhode Island College to go on a run and take a 22-18 lead with two minutes left, forcing a Spartan timeout. Out of the break, Radcliff made the basket while drawing contact and finished the three-point play, bringing Castleton within one as the teams headed into halftime with the Anchormen leading 22-21.
The second half played out much like the first, with neither team able to build a comfortable advantage. Rhode Island College built the largest lead of the half three minutes in at 27-23, but Castleton quickly answered when
Jackson Doyle knocked down a three-pointer off a pass from
Adam Bilodeau to give the Spartans a 28-27 edge. Neither team led by more than one possession the rest of the way.
Rhode Island College appeared to take control late with a basket with seven seconds remaining, prompting a Castleton timeout. Out of the break, Doyle buried a three-pointer with three seconds left to put the Spartans back in front. The Anchormen then turned the ball over on the following possession, and Radcliff sealed the 61-57 victory by converting both free throws.
By the Numbers
- Radcliff recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, adding four assists and one steal.
- Doyle finished with 14 points, one rebound, and one assist, a career-high in scoring.
- McKearin tallied 11 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a career-high five steals.
- Castleton shot 48.9 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from three, compared to Rhode Island College's 33.9 percent from the floor and 17.9 percent from beyond the arc.
What's Next
The Spartans continue their home stretch with a matchup against Western Connecticut on February 9 at 7 p.m.