Women’s hoops outlasts Maine-Maritime, 65-54
The Castleton University women’s basketball team finished off their road trip to Maine with a victory over Maine Maritime on Saturday, 65-54.
With the win the Spartans maintain their position at the top of the NAC with an overall record of 15-3 (11-1 NAC) despite a double-overtime loss to Husson, 81-77, in Bangor Maine on Jan. 26. Maine Maritime (11-7 overall, 7-5 NAC) fell to fifth in the NAC.
The game was a battle that saw Castleton put together a few runs in the second half to propel themselves to the 11-point victory. Amanda Beaty led the charge with 13 points, followed by Emilee Bose off the bench with 10. Makayla Farrara and Brooke Raiche both had nine. Ashlie Fay also found herself stuffing the stat sheet with seven points, an impressive career high 11 rebounds, nine assists, and four steals.
The Mariners got off to a hot start opening the game 5-0 behind a three-pointer from Melinda Ogden and two free throws from Megan McLean. Castleton battled back however and finished the first quarter in the lead 18-16, thanks to two free throws from Farrara.
Castleton hit their stride in the second quarter going on a 9-0 run capped once again by Farrara with a three-pointer. Maine Maritime wouldn’t go quietly into the half however. The Mariners held the Spartans to zero points in the last 3:46 of the quarter. Alayne Felix hit a three-pointer to close Castleton’s lead within five going into the half.
The Mariners continued to close in on Castleton in the third quarter after a three-pointer from Ogden, but the Spartans answered back with a 6-0 run to close the third quarter with a 46-40 lead.
Despite Maine Maritimes best efforts, the Spartans managed to close the game with a three-pointer from Brooke Raiche with 3:17 left in the game. Fay helped seal the game for The Spartans by going a perfect 6 for 6 from the line.
The Mariners were led by Felix who finished with 15 points in the contest, followed by 13 points from Chloe Smedley.
The Spartans will travel to Green Mountain this Saturday to face the last place Eagles. It will be the first time these two teams will face each other this year. Yet Castleton was 2-0 against the Eagles last year, winning by a combined 105 points.