Spartans drop fifth straight
The Castleton men’s basketball team suffered its fifth consecutive loss Monday Dec. 1 after the visiting Middlebury team outscored the Spartans 102-71. Middlebury’s height was an immediate cause for concern to the Spartans, but according to Castleton head coach, Ted Shipley, it was the Panthers’ physicality that caused the Spartans to fall short. Castleton also had several turnovers and ten fouls in the first half, both of which allowed the Panthers to jump ahead early and take a 49-28 lead before halftime.
But even while trailing by 21 points, the Spartans reappeared from the locker room looking for revenge. Matt Roulier and Seth Harrington teamed up to contribute for the Spartans with several outside shots, while Marcus Hass played the boards. But the Spartans could not come back against the hot-handed Panthers.
Middlebury had 12 players contribute to its win, which lifts the team to a 5-2 season. Senior guard Kyle Dudley led the Panthers with 15 points. Ben Rudin and Andrew Locke contributed with 13 points each.
The Spartans collected points from 12 of their 11-man roster against Middlebury. Harrington scored a game-high 16 points. Hass contributed with 14 points and six rebounds. Freshman guard Cameron Bodine scored 12 points off the bench for Castleton.
“The score doesn’t indicate it, but I am pleased at where we are,” said Shipley. “We played hard. Middlebury had to play hard to beat us.”
After a crushing defeat against Middlebury, the Spartans hit the road again, looking for their first win of the season. Castleton was disappointed by Skidmore College (4-3), though, losing 75-60.
Castleton is still looking for its first season win and will travel to Utica, New York, Dec. 1,1 to take on the Wildcats of SUNY Institute of Technology.