MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury College women’s basketball team on Tuesday pulled away from visiting Castleton in the second half for a 63-39 victory. Castleton, enjoying a good season, dropped to 10-2, while Middlebury moved to 12-2 headed into weekend NESCAC play. The Panthers will visit Bates on Friday and Tufts on Saturday.
Panther senior guard Sarah Kaufman scored nine points in Tuesday’s win to surpass the 1,000-career point plateau with 1,001. Kaufman’s milestone came on a three from the right corner in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers earned a 21-13 edge in the second period to lead by 33-25 at the break. They then held Castleton without a point from the floor in the third quarter and to three-for-23 shooting in the second half to win going away.
Maya Davis led 11 Middlebury players who scored with 13 points to go along with eight boards, while Betsy Knox added 10 points and three steals. Kaufman chipped in with three assists in addition to her nine points, while Sabrina Weeks had seven points and four rebounds.
Brooke Raiche paced the Spartans with nine points and seven rebounds, while Makayla Farrara and Emilee Bose each scored seven points.
Former Mount Abraham Union High School standout Ashlie Fay, a senior guard who leads the Spartans in rebounds, assists and steals, recorded five rebounds, two points and an assist.