CASTLETON, Vt. – The Husson University Men's Basketball team surged in the second half as they earned an 85-59 conference victory against the Castleton Spartans in Glenbrook Gym on Saturday afternoon.

Castleton trailed by just four points midway through first half, but dropped to 9-14 and 8-8 in the North Atlantic Conference after shooting just 33.8 percent from the field and 1-for-3 from the free throw stripe. Husson owned a 42-38 rebounding edge and shot 47.7 percent overall to improve to 17-6 and 13-3 in the NAC. 

The Eagles' Trevon Butler finished with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists while Raheem Anderson added 11 points, and four steals. Justin Martin came off the bench to provide 12 points and four rebounds while Jordan Holmes chipped 11 points in just 11 minutes. 

For The Spartans Senior Rob Coloutti posted a team-high 17 points off five three-pointers while classmate Casey McGraw chipped in 11 points, four assists and two rebounds. Edmund Fitzgerald provided seven points and ten rebounds while Paolo Loli dished off a four assists in ten minutes. 

Castleton came out firing and pulled in front 11-4 on a three by Tondi Mushandu off a nice feed from Loli at 17:27. The Eagles would then go on a huge 10-3 run with two consecutive buckets from Zach Curran to tie the game 14-14 with 14:18 left. 

The teams traded baskets over the next five minutes, until a three-pointer by McGraw put the Spartans in front 22-19. Husson tied the game at 22 with 6:55 remaining as part of a 10-0 run to grab a 29-22 advantage. Castleton closed within four, 29-25, on a triple by Coloutti but the Eagles ended the period on a 10-4 run for a 39-27 lead at the break. 

Coloutti made a three to open the second half but Husson quickly pushed the lead back to 13 at 16:57 on an Anderson triple. McGraw countered with a layup, but the Eagles went on a 21-3 run over the next six minutes to stretch their lead to 67-38. Both teams subbed liberally over the final nine minutes of action as Castleton couldn't get any closer than 23 the rest of the way. 

The Eagles return to their home court on Wednesday, February 17 against Thomas (Maine) at 7:30 p.m. The Spartans look to get back on track Thursday when they host Lyndon St. at 7:30 pm in Glenbrook Gym.