CASTLETON, Vt. – The Plymouth State University men's basketball team defeated Castleton University, 71-69, in a Little East Conference (LEC) contest at Glenbrook Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.
The Spartans were looking to earn their first LEC win in nearly three years, but Plymouth State had other plans. Castleton led as late as the 12:41 mark in the second half, but the Panthers closed out the important victory. The hosts made a late charge to pull within two points, 71-69, with 0:09 left on the clock. Castleton came up with a steal but missed a potential game-winning three and a tying tip-in attempt as PSU held on for the win.
Senior
Giorgi Tsiklauri (Brooklyn, N.Y.) recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while junior
Kyler Bosse (Manchester, N.H.) led all scorers with 21 points. Graduate student
Tom Johnson (Warner, N.H.) rounded out the Panthers' leading scorers with nine points to help secure the win.
Plymouth State improves to 9-12 (2-10 LEC) on the season, while the Spartans slide to 3-16 and 0-11 in the LEC.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 71, Castleton 69
- Plymouth State (9-12, 2-10 LEC)
- Castleton (3-16, 0-11 LEC)
Top Performers:
How it Happened:
- The Panthers opened with a 7-2 run over the first two minutes of the contest.
- Castleton exploded with a 17-2 run to build a ten-point lead, 37-27, with 6:12 to go before halftime.
- The teams traded baskets as a Bosse layup closed out the half with the Panthers trailing 43-35.
- PSU opened the second half with ten straight points to retake the lead, 45-43, with 16:49 to go.
- The Spartans jumped back in front, 51-45, with 14:24 remaining in regulation.
- PSU erupted to a 67-54 advantage behind a 22-3 run with 6:10 to go in the game.
- Castleton brought a late game press to close the gap to 67-63 with 2:54 to play.
- The hosts knocked down a three-pointer with seven seconds to go to pull within 71-69, then came up with a steal on the ensuing inbounds play, but the Spartans were unable to connect on a three-pointer for the lead, or a layup to tie the game as the clock expired.
By the Numbers:
- Both teams shot an identical 26-of-57 (45.6%) from the floor.
- Plymouth State knocked down 11-of-35 (31.4%) from beyond the arc.
- The Panthers outrebounded Castleton by a narrow, 33-32 margin. Each team had seven offensive rebounds.
- PSU's bench outscored the Castleton reserves, 19-10.
- The Spartans won the battle in the paint, 36-22.
- Plymouth State has won eight straight meetings and holds a 29-7 record against the Spartans dating back to 1991.
- PSU is unbeaten (8-0) against Castleton since the Spartans joined the LEC.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State visits UMass Boston on Saturday (Feb. 4) for a 3:00 p.m. clash with the Beacons.
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