Bangor, Maine – Castleton withstood a late run by Husson to remain unbeaten in conference play with a 62-55 win over the Eagles on Friday evening in North Atlantic Conference action.
The Spartans shot 46.2 percent from the floor and connected on six threes as they improved to 11-0 in the NAC and 16-2 overall. Husson, meanwhile, finished the game at 35.1 percent from the field but dropped to 8-9 overall and 7-3 in conference action.
Junior Jade Desroches scored all 14 of her points in the second half while Alyssa Leonard led the offense with 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Shelby LaBarge added eight points and three rebounds while Liz Douglass had seven points and five assists.
Victoria McIntyre finished with 15 points to lead Husson. Taylor Blood added nine points while Chandler Guerette had four points on 1-for-7 shooting and three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Castleton jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first four minutes. Husson fought back within one point to 9-8 and kept it close until Blood gave the Eagles their first lead of the game at 13-12 with just under eight minutes remaining in the first. However, over the next seven minutes the Spartans took control with an 11-3 run. Rebecca Young scored with 17 seconds remaining in the half for the 24-17 Castleton edge at the break.
The Spartans scored the first ten points of the half to push their lead to 34-17 just 2:09 into the second. Husson came back though as a Kathryn Brochu jumper cut the Castleton lead to eight and Amanda Johnson sunk a three to bring the Eagles within five points at 39-34 with 14:08 left. The teams battled over the next few minutes, with Castleton maintaining its slight edge.
Denae Johnson brought the Eagles within four with under three minutes left but Desroches connected from beyond the arc for the 60-53 advantage. A Brochu jumper closed it to 60-55 with 1:20 left, but they wouldn't score again and the Spartans finished with the seven-point victory.
Castleton returns to action on Saturday at 1 pm when the team faces Maine Maritime.