Springfield Scoring Barrage Takes Down Castleton 132-113

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Spartans scored 113 points on Tuesday night but it wasn't enough as Castleton lost its season-opener at Springfield, 132-113, in a track meet at Blake Arena.

Castleton came out firing on Tuesday, hoisting up 102 shot attempts including 63 from downtown in reaching the team's highest scoring output since 2005. Unfortunately, for the Spartans their defense wasn't able to make the requisite stops and they allowed the Pride to shoot 61.3 percent from the field and break their school record of 125 points in a game, set back in 1968.

Six different players reached double figures in a balanced scoring attack, led by senior David Cochrane's (Virginia Beach, Va.) 17 points. The senior shot 6-for-11 from the field and hit three treys in addition to grabbing four rebounds. Junior Mark Comstock (Rutland, Vt.) chipped in with 15 points and nine rebounds while senior Greg Hughes (West Rutland, Vt.) added 14 points and four assists.

The Spartans kept it close for much of the first half, taking multiple leads before an 11-0 run midway through the period left them down 43-28. They weren't able to get any closer, going into the break down 71-54.

Castleton tried to cut into the Pride lead with little success over the second half's first eight minutes. However over the final 12 minutes of play the Spartans actually outscored Springfield 40-34 finish with the 132-113 loss.

Freshman Mark Pryzbylkowski (New Egypt, N.J.) led all newcomers with 13 points including 3-for-7 shooting from behind the arc. Senior Keith Schneider (Fair Haven, Vt.) showed a deft touch with three triples in five attempts and 13 total points. Sophomore Tyler Ackley (Scotia, N.Y.) rounded out the scorers in double figures with ten and also tied for the team lead in assists by dishing out five helpers.

The Spartans come back to Glenbrook gym for their next game, hosting Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) on Saturday evening at 6 p.m.