Castleton earns win in regular season finale
Castleton, VT - The Castleton State College women’s basketball team led by as many as 14, and never trailed in a 65-57 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) win over Maine Maritime Academy at Glenbrook Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
Castleton scored the first nine points of the contest, and held a 16-4 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. Maine Maritime was able to outscore the Spartans 19-10 over the next seven minutes to cut the lead to three. Castleton answered with an 8-3 run to close out the half with and eight point lead at 34-26.
The second half was more of the same as the Spartans were never fully able to pull away. LeeAnne Ketchen’s three-pointer with 14 minutes remaining gave the Spartans their biggest lead of the game at 47-33, and they were able to hold on down the stretch for the win.
Tatum Welch posted her 14th double-double of the season, scoring a game-high 24 points and hauling in 13 rebounds for the 9-16 (5-9 NAC) Mariners. Jessica Stahl was the only other Mariner in double figures with 11.
Castleton senior, Jess Banks dumped in 19 points and dished out four assists to lead the Spartans. Ketchen added 11 points, while Mary Nienow chipped in nine as Castleton improves to 14-11 overall and 9-5 in conference play. Christine Jaques and Kristie Dunchus also contributed off the bench, scoring eight and seven respectively.
Castleton has locked up the third seed in the upcoming NAC tournament while Maine Maritime awaits tie-breaking procedures to determine whether or not they will make the six-team tournament.
Women's Basketball