Henniker, N.H. – Castleton held New England College to just 19 first-half points and locked down on defense throughout on the way to a 63-49 victory on Tuesday evening in North Atlantic Conference action. 

The Spartans shot 54.3 percent from the field and went 6-for-16 from downtown as they improved to 13-2 on the year and 8-0 in the conference. The Pilgrims connected on just 28.6 percent of their shots but kept the game close by outrebounding Castleton 36-30 and forcing 26 turnovers. However, ultimately they drop to 7-8 overall and 4-5 in the NAC with the loss. 

Jade Desroches paced the Spartan offense with 20 points, including three triples, three rebounds and two steals. Alyssa Leonard showed off her versatility, shooting 6-for-9 for 13 points and adding eight rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Ali Jones added a season-high ten points off the bench. 

Taylor Burgess led NEC with 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals while Kayla Lawlor added 13 points and four assists but shot just 3-for-15 and turned the ball over five times. Marjani Lillard chipped in with seven points and three steals off the bench. 

After going down 4-0 in the opening minute, the Pilgrims stormed back to take the lead with ten consecutive points over the next six minutes to pull in front by six. Jones snapped the Spartan scoreless drought with a layup at 13:23 but NEC answered one minute later. 

Shelby LaBarge countered with a jump shot and Desroches used a personal 5-0 run to help Castleton take back the lead with 10:23 left. However, four minutes later Burgess put the Pilgrims ahead 16-15 at 8:02. The teams traded baskets over the next three minutes, but the Spartans finished the half on a 7-2 run for the 24-19 lead at the break. 

In the second half, NEC cut the Castleton lead to 28-26 on a Lawlor free throw at 17:34. However, the Spartans came back with a 15-4 run, including eight points from Jade Desroches, to grab a 41-31 lead with 13 minutes left. The Pilgrims closed within eight down the stretch the Spartans' hot shooting proved too tough as Castleton eventually finished with the 14-point victory. 

The Spartans return to action on Friday when they host Maine-Farmington at 7:30 pm in Glenbrook Gym.