NEW LONDON, N.H.  – The Colby-Sawyer women's basketball team dropped their third-consecutive game on Tuesday falling to Vermont State University - Castleton by a 73-44 final.

Rapid Recap:

• Junior Megan Molettierri (Pelham, N.H.) kicked off the game lacing a three for the Chargers, but the Spartans countered with eight-straight to lead 8-3. Sophomore Elyza Mitchell (Spofford, N.H.) finished a layup on an offensive board, but Castleton kept in front. Jumpers by junior Courtney Brewster (Castleton, Vt.) and Molettieri kept the game at 12-9, but the Spartans used a 10-1 closing run to lead 22-10. 
• Junior Marissa Holt (Alfred, Maine) netted a three-pointer to get the Chargers back on the board, but Castleton countered with 15-straight points pushed the lead to 37-13. First year Catherine Chick (Glen, N.H.) stopped the run with a three at the top of the key. Four free throws by first year Bree Lawrence (Swanzey, N.H.) and graduate student Lia Raynowska (Brentwood, N.H.) ended the half at a score of 39-20 for the visitors. 
• Buckets by Molettieri and junior Gabby Lucertini (Branford, Conn.) cut the deficit to 43-26 entering the third quarter, but the Spartans stayed strong jumping with a 10-1 run to add to the lead with 2:36 to play in the third. Brewster tried to kick start the offense again with back-to-back buckets, but Emily Adams finished the third quarter with a basket to keep the lead at 24 with 10 more minutes to play.
• Brewster finished another layup to try and get the Chargers on the right path, but the Spartans kept strong again trading buckets to hold the 24 point lead with 6:18 to play. Lucertini knocked down a three followed by Holt, but Castleton responded closing the game on a run to win by the 73-44. 

Inside the Numbers:

• Molettieri paced the offense with nine points (3-11 FG, 1-7 3PT, 2-2 FT) to go with three rebonds and a block. Brewster tallied 11 points (5-13 FG, 0-3 3PT, 1-2 FT) eight rebounds and two blocks, while Lucertini added seven points (3-9 FG, 1-6 3PT) nine rebounds, four assists and a steal.
• Elise Magro led the Spartans with 21 points (7-19 FG, 0-2 3PT, 7-8 FT), six assists and six rebounds. 

Up Next: 
The Chargers will open Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play with a game with Albertus Magnus on Saturday with a 1:00 PM start in New London.

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