Castleton, VT – Some offensive rust showed from four weeks off for the Clarkson University Women's Basketball team, but it was a 16 deficit in rebounds and a 34-9 shortfall in free throws that kept the Golden Knights from securing a non-league win on Saturday, as the Green and Gold fell to Vermont State University Castleton 44-35.

Clarkson dropped to 4-6 overall on the season and has nothing but Liberty League contests ahead for the rest of the campaign, which restarts Monday at Alumni Gymnasium when the Knights take on St. Lawrence University.

There were no major gaps after the first quarter when the Knights led 15-11, but in the second quarter, Clarkson began the period by missing its first 10 shots. Fallon Griffin converted on the interior to break the seal over the rim with 55 seconds remaining in the period, and Cassidy Dumont hit a shot as time was waning down in the half to allow Clarkson to stay close, with the margin at just two at the break.

Dumont's basket gave her three at the break and along with Bella Doyle's two points, Clarkson's top two scorers combined for just five in the first half. Castleton enjoyed a 16-5 edge in free throws in the first half, but only converted seven times.

At the start of the third quarter, the Knights took the lead back at 23-21 only to lose its less than 90 seconds later and never regain the advantage. Clarkson stayed close throughout, trailing by only one with 7:55 to go in the game when Raelin Burns hit a free throw to put the score at 34-33. Unfortunately, the Knights would only tally two more points for the remainder of the game. That last basket put saw Clarkson down by five, and Castleton did enough from the free throw line down the stretch to keep the Knights at a distance.

Clarkson trailed in some tough spots that made it difficult to get on top. Castleton outrebounded the Knights by 16, though the second-chance opportunities usually did not amount to much for the Spartans. Castleton also was whistled for only nine fouls against Clarkson's 25, and just three of those fouls on the Knights came late when the team was trying to get extra opportunities on offense, allowing the Spartans a 34-9 edge in free throws. Castleton also had three fewer turnovers than the Knights.

Raelin Burns led all scorers with 17 points and Bella Doyle contributed 12 rebounds. Stasia Epler scored 14 for the Spartans and Emily Dingmon posted a double-double with 10 points and 17 rebounds.