CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's basketball team secured its first Little East Conference win of the season on Thursday against Plymouth State, with a 71-60 victory led by
Emily Adams with her second double-double of the season,
Arianna Coombs with her third of the season and second in as many games, and
Schuylar Nolan with her first of the season.
The Basics:
- Final Score: 71-60 Castleton
- Location: Castleton, Vt. – Glenbrook Gym
- Records: 5-7 (1-3 LEC) Castleton | 8-4 (1-3 LEC) Plymouth
How it Happened:
The Spartans jumped out to a 12-9 lead at the conclusion of the first quarter, behind six points from Coombs. Castleton's defensive efforts did not go unnoticed in the first frame, causing five Panther turnovers.
As the second quarter began, the Panthers knocked down a pair of free throws to cut Castleton's lead to one, but Nolan answered with a layup to extend the Spartans' lead to three, and
Stasia Epler to five with a good jump shot (16-11). The two teams traded points back and forth, with Plymouth tying the game at 23 with two minutes left in the half. Epler hit a clutch three-pointer with 22 seconds left to play, giving Castleton a 26-23 lead as the teams headed to the locker rooms for halftime.
Two more Epler three-pointers helped push Castleton to an eight-point lead (36-28) with six and a half minutes left in the third frame. The Spartans continued to push the Panthers on the defensive end, which later resulted in a three-pointer and a jump shot by Adams, putting Castleton up 11 (43-32). Adams put up a string of four points after Plymouth answered with a jump shot, extending the lead to 13 (49-36). As the quarter came to a close, Castleton went on a six-point run, heading into the final quarter of play up 55-36.
Adams opened the fourth quarter with seven points, working to keep the momentum on the Spartans' side (62-46).
Isabelle Cole knocked down a big three-pointer with three minutes remaining, putting Castleton up 15 (66-51) as the Panthers knocked down their own three on the other end right after. Castleton finished its scoring with five made free throws, taking the 71-60 victory.
By the Numbers:
- Adams led the Spartans with 25 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, and two assists for her second double-double of the season.
- Coombs posted a team-high 14 rebounds, with 10 points, and one block for her third double-double of the season, and second in a row.
- Nolan dished out a career-high 10 assists, adding 10 points and three rebounds for her first double-double of the season.
What's Next
The team continues a short homestand on Saturday, January 10, hosting Southern Maine for another LEC matchup, set for 12 p.m.
