Women’s Basketball: Late Conference Struggles Continue as Eastern Drops to Castleton

2/14/2026 3:12:00 PM | By: Alyssa French-Graham

Box Score CASTLETON, Vermont. — Eastern Connecticut State University women's basketball dropped a late-season Little East Conference road matchup against VTSU Castleon, Saturday afternoon at the Glenbrook Gymnasium.

Despite a close three-quarter contest, Castleon surged ahead in the fourth with a flurry of fast-break points and clutch baskets to stretch the margin and ward off the Warriors.

The loss drops Eastern to 8-15 overall and 5-9 in Little East Conference play, while VTSU Castleon improves to 6-17 overall and 2-12 in league action.

Game Information:

Score: Eastern Connecticut State University 62, VTSU Castleton 73
Records: Eastern (8-15) (LEC 5-9), VTSU Castleton (6-17) (LEC 2-12)
Location: Castleton, Vermont | (Glenbrook Gymnasium)

Key Moments:
First Quarter

Eastern opened the contest with a heavy 8-0 run behind three-pointers from Liv Cassesse (Wallingford) and Katelyn Novak (Clochester), coupled with a driving layup from Maddie Topa (New Hartford). Castleton finally ended the unanswered run with finishes from Arianna Coombs and Emily Adams, but continued to face Eastern trouble on the offense end from a Marissa Nudd (Clochester) three-pointer and Topa trouble down low, extending the lead 14-4 midway through.
Castleton managed a good trimming thanks to Adam's and Maggie McKearin's steady trips to the basket, the duo earning a pair at the line and a handful of layups to trim the deficit to just five. Eastern in front, 26-21.

Second Quarter

Cassesee remained the difference for the Warriors, warding off Castleton by connecting on two threes from way out, pairing nicely with Novak's timely jumper and Nudd's presence in the paint. On the other end, Alyssa Paquette (Claremont, NH) anchored the defense with a pair of rebounds, helping extend the lead to four midway through the quarter.
Unrelenting, Castleton found a spark behind Coombs and McKearin's active plays, converting off a Nudd turnover and adding a couple of defensive stops and fast breaks from Coombs to cut the lead to just 39-38, Eastern holding the narrow edge heading into the half.

Third Quarter

Castleton came out strong behind McKearin, her eighth point flipping the momentum and giving the Spartans their first lead of the game, sparking a quick 5-0 run to take a 43-39 edge. Though, Novak answered immediately for Eastern with a strong drive off a defensive rebound, keeping the Warriors within striking distance.
The quarter remained a back-and-forth battle as both teams traded baskets. Adams pushed Castleton ahead again with her 18th point of the match, stretching the lead to 49-43. Eastern fought back, sparked by a clutch trey from Paquette coupled with a pair of free throws and a needed layup from Nudd, but Castleton still held the slim advantage, leading 55-52 heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

Heading into the fourth, Castleton quickly extended its narrow lead as Coombs and Schuylar Nolan converted driving layups to push the margin to 59-52, matching their largest lead of the game. Nolan added a three-point play, followed by a McKearin jumper, sparking a 5-0 run to make it 62-53 in just over two minutes, their pressure a relentless attack on the offensive end.
Eastern attempted to respond with perimeter shots and drives in the paint, led by Cassesse and Nudd, but the Spartans' aggressive defense forced turnovers and converted fast-break hustle, their balanced effort and double-digit games from key players forcing a 73-62 victory over the Warriors.

Stats:

Eastern Conn. St.: 23-65 FG (35.4%), 7-29 3PT (24.1%), 9-12 FT (75.0%)
VTSU Castleton: 29-67 FG (43.3%), 2-14 3PT (14.3%), 13-20 FT (65.0%)
Rebounds: Eastern 30, VTSU Castleton 41
Assists: Eastern 14, VTSU Castleton 11
Turnovers: Eastern 16, VTSU Castleton 15
Points in the Paint: Eastern 22, VTSU Castleton 42
Second-Chance Points: Eastern 12, VTSU Castleton 16
Fast Break Points: Eastern 2, VTSU Castleton 10
Points off Turnovers: Eastern 16, VTSU Castleton 17
Bench Points: Eastern 2, VTSU Castleton 4

Game Notes:

Cassesse led the warriors with 16 points, five steals, and four rebounds.
Nudd added 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists as Novak contributed 12 points and two assists.
Paquette added nine points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
Eastern falls to 8-15 overall and 5-9 in the Little East Conference, while Castleton improves to 6-17 overall and 2-12 in conference.

Up Next:
Eastern Connecticut State University women's basketball will host Keene State College on February 18th, 5:00 PM, at Geissler Gymnasium.

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