CASTLETON, Vt. - Senior center Gabriella Franks (Madison, Conn.) knocked down a team-high 15 points while classmate guard Nicole Vivian (New Milford, Conn.) snagged a game-high 14 rebounds but it wasn't enough as the Western Connecticut State University women's basketball squad fell at Little East Conference opponent Vermont State University Castleton, 68-52, on Saturday afternoon. 

Junior guard Nicole Peralta (North Windham, Conn.) joined Franks in double figures, pouring in 13 points. Vivian chipped in with nine.

Elise Magro paced the Spartans with a game-high 27 points on 13-of-26 shooting from the field, while pulling down 10 boards to earn the double-double. Liz Bailey notched a double-double as well, tallying 16 points and 10 off the glass to go along with a game-high three blocks.

The Wolves dominated the offensive boards, 23-9, but they had a tough shooting afternoon as they managed just a 21-of-82 (25.6 percent) clip. The hosts connected on 29-of-71 (40.8 percent). They also outscored the visitors in the paint, 52-22.

Castleton opened the game with a 14-4 run and would not relinquish the lead for the remainder. Magro sank a layup just before haltime, giving the Spartans a 40-26 advantage at the break.

The hosts would maintain the double-digit lead the rest of the way as WestConn could not stage a comeback. Vivian closed out the scoring with a runner with 42 seconds left. 

With the loss, the Wolves dropped to 1-8 overall and 0-3 in league play, while the Spartans improved to 6-4 and 1-1. WestConn regroups with a full week of practice and will look to snap its losing skid when they travel to non-conference foe York College (NY) on Saturday at Noon.