CASTLETON, Vt. – The Norwich University basketball team was looking for its third-straight win to open the season but was upset 73-54 by Castleton University on Friday evening at Glenbrook Gym.

Norwich (2-1) burst out of the gates in the opening quarter hitting on 5-of-6 three-pointers, including three by senior Emily Schromm (North Attleboro, Mass.). The Cadets found themselves down 9-5 after three and a half minutes but stormed back to take the lead at 10-9 less than a minute later capped by an offensive putback by senior Caileigh Travers (Valley Cottage, N.Y.). The Cadets outscored Castleton (2-6) 23-17 in the frame with Travers having a large impact in the stanza with five points and six rebounds.

Another Travers layup just eight seconds into the second quarter extended the visitors' lead to eight at 25-17 before the host Spartans used the subsequent four minutes to tie the game at 25-25 by going on an 8-0 run. Senior Riley Bennett's (Hopkinton, N.H.) jumper gave the Cadets the lead back temporarily, but Castleton's duo of Elise Magro and Emilee Bose gave the Spartans the lead back with a pair of jumpers. The Spartans proceeded to take a 30-27 lead into the break.

After shooting 47.1 percent in the opening quarter, the Cadets' offensive rhythm was stymied in the second as the team managed to hit just 2-of-13 from the field.

Castleton broke the game open in the third quarter pouring in 25 points as the Spartans went 9-of-13 from the floor and held the Cadets to 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting. Magro scored nearly half of the hosts' points in the period with 11 as she was perfect from the floor. Travers and Schromm each had three points during the third stanza for the Cadets who, to their credit, hit the offensive glass hard giving themselves four additional opportunities. At the end of three, the Cadets trailed 55-37.

Castleton used the advantage to cruise to victory as the teams played almost even in the fourth quarter. Norwich outrebounded the Spartans 11-5 in the quarter but was unable to produce with its multiple second-chance opportunities. Senior Kailynne Frederick (Adams, Mass.) and the Spartans' Bose led their respective teams with eight points in the frame.

For the game, the host Spartans converted their offense at a 50.9 percent clip while holding the Cadets to their lowest conversion rate of the season at 33.3 percent. Norwich bested the Spartans on the glass outrebounding them 39-32, but the 18 Cadet turnovers played a factor in stalling the offense.

A model of consistency, Travers again tied her career-high in points (13) for the third-straight game and added a career-high 17 rebounds. Schromm also set a new personal benchmark in scoring by netting 15 points on a career-best five three-pointers. Frederick added 11 points and seven rebounds in defeat.

Norwich will next face NVU-Johnson for the third time this season on Sunday when the team finally plays in its season home opener at Andrews Gym. Tip-off time is set for 2 p.m.