DANBURY, Conn. - With seven-tenths of a second remaining in regulation, sophomore Gabrielle Franks (Madison, Conn.) buried a bank shot in the lane to give the Western Connecticut State University women's basketball team to a thrilling 58-56 victory over Castleton University at Feldman Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Franks was set up with a lop pass on the right side of the lane by classmate Nicole Vivian (New Milford, Conn.) after WestConn head coach Kimberley Rybczyk signaled for a time out with three ticks left on the clock.  The Spartans' defense keyed in on Vivian as she was leading the hosts with 16 points, but Franks grabbed position on the low block and converted the pin-point pass.  The 6-1 forward finished with eight points and a game-high 13 rebounds on Saturday.

The victory, WestConn improves to 7-14 overall and 2-10 in the Little East Conference.  It ended a 12-game skid that dated back to its 67-57 victory over Plymouth State University on Jody Rajcula Day on December 4.

Castleton, now 12-9 overall and 5-7 in the league, were paced by a trio of players in double figures.  Elise Magro (Rutland, Vt.) led all players with 19 points while Liz Bailey (West Rutland, Vt.) and Ryleigh Coloutti (Castleton, Vt.) poured in 14 and 12 points, respectively for the Spartans.

WestConn led by as many as 15 points, 42-27, after it opened the third quarter with a 10-2 run over the first 2:44.  A three-pointer from Vivian capped off the run for the winners.

The Spartans scored the game's next 11 points to draw within four points, 42-38, following  short jumper from Magro at the 4:12 mark of the third stanza.

The visitors took their first lead of the game, 47-46, when Coloutti converted a lay-in just 32 seconds into the final period.  CU's lead would grow to as many as six points after it scored the next five points.

Senior forward Katelyn Fanning (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) put WestConn up, 56-54 with just under three minutes left in the game.

Fifth-year guard Kelly Vuz (Blairstown, N.J.) knotted the game at, 56-56, with a wide-open lay-up with 1:27 remaining for the game's third deadlock.

WestConn opens a hectic final week of the regular season on Wednesday, February 16 when it travels to intra-state rival Eastern Connecticut State University for a 5:30 pm battle.  It wraps up the week at Plymouth State on February 18 before closing out the season with Senior Day next Saturday.  Game time against University of Southern Maine is slated for 1 pm.

The Spartans visit Keene State College on Tuesday, February 15 and will face the Owls at 5 pm.