Ali Jones dribbles through defenders in a recent game against Middlebury College.
Courtesy Photo

Castleton State College women’s basketball team is keeping the momentum going as the season progresses toward Christmas break.

The Spartans defense was the game changer Saturday night against New England College, forcing 18 turnovers as they rolled to a 64-52 win in a North Atlantic Conference game.

  Both teams exploded in the first half keeping the game tight with the Pilgrims just barely pulling ahead to end the first half 25-28.

SpartansMeghan O’Sullivan had a high scoring game of 27 points, while Jade Desroches also scored in double figures with 14.

 For New England College, Kayla Lawlor led the way finishing with 22-points while teammates Allison Beck chipped in nine and Kiley Williams added seven.

  Castleton remains undefeated in the NAC at 2-0 and sits at 5-1 overall, increasing their win streak to three. New England fell to 0-1 in the NAC and 4-2 overall.

 The Spartans took control of the game with seven points scored in the first two minutes, but by halftime, after a 3-point shot by Pilgrims Maranda Johnson, New England pulled ahead 28-25.   

“For a lot of the time yesterday I feel like we took ourselves out of the game because we weren’t playing basketball the way we practice everyday. I think that was because we were down so we played too fast to try and get the lead,” O’Sullivan said.

Castleton finally caught up late in the second half when Bryanna Dupont made a lay-up, tying up the game at 45-45.  Then O’Sullivan got ahold of the ball and made another lay-up, putting the Spartans up 47-45 and on their way to another win.

“Our coach reminded us at half time to just play our basketball and let the rest of the game take care of itself because that’s all we can do. I think that halftime speech really helped us,” O’Sullivan said.

As for the rest of the season there are high hopes.  “There’s a lot of great competition in the NAC this year so we know we have to play our best basketball every game,” said O’Sullivan.  “We don’t want to look back and regret anything and we have to remember to bring confidence as well.”

Castleton will be on road again visiting Maine Maritime on Friday Dec. 12 for another conference game.