Leroy leads Panthers with game-high 29 points 

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Despite a game-high 29 points from sophomore Jaylen Leroy (Manchester, N.H.), Castleton University outlasted the Plymouth State University, 100-93, in a non-conference men's basketball game at Foley Gymnasium on Tuesday night.

            The Panthers suffer their first setback of the season to fall to 2-1, while Castleton improves to 2-2.

            The two teams exchanged baskets through the first 4:30 of the first half. With the Panthers trailing 9-8, junior Mike Osgood (Nashua, N.H.) nailed a jumper to spark a 12-0 run by the home team. Osgood accounted for seven points in the spurt, giving PSU a 19-9 lead.

            CU sophomore Ben Mrowka (Adelaide, Australia) drained a three pointer to cut into the Panther's lead, but Leroy responded on the next possession to keep the margin at eight. Over the next three minutes the Spartans utilized a full court press and up-tempo offense to cut into the margin, and freshman Denis LeCours (Hardwick, Vt.) buried a three pointer to tie the game at 37-37 with 5:10 to play in the first half.

            Less than two minutes later, LeCours and Mrowka drained back to back three's to give the Spartans a 45-41 lead. Leroy responded once again for PSU with a pair of free throws to keep it a two-point game, but the Spartans utilized an 11-5 run to end the first with a 56-46 lead.

            Castleton expand its lead to 19 points before PSU chipped away. Osgood nailed a jumper and followed the next defensive series with a block to help spark the Panthers. Junior Liam Densmore (Portland, Maine) connected from beyond the arc cut the deficit to 70-58.

            Castleton once again responded by expanding the lead to 22 following a three pointer. Leroy ignited the Panthers with 17 of the team's next 20 points, helping cut the lead to 100-90. Densmore's trey cut the lead to seven, but the Spartans ran the clock down to outlast the Panthers 100-93.

            Leroy led all players with 29 points while Osgood added 19 and seven rebounds. Densmore tallied 15 points and senior Kieran Beck (Danvers, Mass.) pulled down a team-high nine rebounds to go along with his eight points.

            The Panthers outshot Castleton from the floor (46.3% to 39.4%) and held a 51-33 rebound advantage, but the Spartans drained 13 shots from downtown.

            Plymouth State returns to action next Tuesday (Nov. 28) for a 6:00 p.m. non-conference tilt versus in-state rival Colby-Sawyer College.

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