CASTLETON, Vt. - Mary Nienow scored a game-high 14 points, including four consecutive points with six minutes remaining in the game, to lead Castleton State past Norwich, 52-44, in women's basketball action on Tuesday evening. The Spartans improve to 5-5 on the season, while the Cadets fall to 1-10.

Erica Rate led Norwich with 11 points, while Ally Daniels added 10 points and six assists for the Cadets. Jess Jaggars chipped in nine points and nine rebounds.

Castleton took a 26-24 lead into halftime, but saw its lead evaporate quickly as Rate drained a pair of three-pointers to start the second-half and give the Cadets the lead. Both teams battled back-and-forth, with neither team gaining an advantage larger than four until Nienow put the Spartans on top for good.

With just under six minutes remaining, Nienow jumped the passing lane for a steal and dribbled down the court for an uncontested lay-up that gave Castleton a one-point edge 38-37. On the next trip down the court, Nienow drained her fourth three-pointer of the game and Castleton never looked back en route to the eight-point victory.

The Cadets shot just 29.6 percent from the field, including only 23.1 percent from three-point range.

Norwich opens its GNAC slate on Saturday, Jan. 12, when the Cadets host Emerson at Andrews Hall. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.