HENNIKER, N.H.  – The Spartans pulled within six in the final three minutes but couldn't get any closer as they fell 80-72 on the road to New England College on Saturday afternoon. 

Castleton was plagued by poor three-point shooting, going 4-for-25 from beyond the arc while conversely allowing the Pilgrims to shoot 52.8 percent from the floor in the contest. The Spartans did force 18 turnovers and outrebounded NEC 40-36 but dropped to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in North Atlantic Conference play. The Pilgrims, meanwhile, improve to 4-3 and 1-0 in conference action. 

Senior Carnelius Green was a force with 19 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals while making all six of his free throws. Chad Copeland was limited to 27 minutes before fouling out and added 19 points and four rebounds. Pavin Parrish was also in double figures with 11 points, three assists and two rebounds. 

Five different Pilgrims scored in double figures, led by Jonathan Byrnes and Robin Wilson with 15 points apiece. Byrnes had 15 points, ten rebounds, four assists and three blocks while Wilson added eight rebounds. Dezron Wilson had a solid game with 11 points, six rebounds and five assists. 

Castleton jumped out to the early seven-point lead but NEC scored ten straight to grab a 16-14 lead with 11:49 remaining to play in the half.  The Pilgrims built their lead as high as 11 points but the Spartans scored the final seven points of the half and trailed just 44-39 at the break. 

The Pilgrims controlled play for much of the second half, building their lead up to 15, at 16:52 and then again at 7:41. Castleton tried to make a run and eventually used a 9-2 spurt to close the gap to 73-66 on a triple from Alexander Homkey with 3:04 left. NEC responded with a  three and the Spartans couldn't get any closer than eight in the final minutes. 

Castleton returns to the court on Friday when it travels to Maine to square off with Maine Maritime at 7 pm.