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Thomas College

Cooper Wirkala

Late Rally for Thomas Men’s Basketball Not Enough in 81-72 Loss to Castleton

11/18/2023 4:08:00 PM

Box Score

AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS – The Thomas College Men's Basketball fell short to the Vermont-State Castleton Spartans by a score of 81-72 on the 2nd day of the Amherst College Classic on Saturday, November 18th. 

RECORDS:

THOMAS: Overall (2-3)
CASTLETON: Overall (2-2)
 

HOW IT HAPPENED:  

  • The Terriers would start hot from the 3-point line, with Graduate Student Cooper Wirkala and Junior Parker Desjardins hitting threes on back-to-back possessions.

  • But Castleton would be quick to respond, scoring two 3-pointers of their own to tie the game at 6-6.

  • The Spartans would go on a small run a few minutes later to give them a 5-point lead. 

  • But Wirkala and Desjardins would continue to lead the Terriers offense, hitting some big shots to give the Terriers a 3-point lead.

  • The Terriers and Spartans would go back and forth keeping the game close, but Castleton would steal the Terriers' momentum and would take the lead late in the 1st half, giving the Spartans a 40-34 lead at the half.

  • The Terriers would start the second half strong, with Wirkala and Desjardins once again making some big plays on three consecutive possessions to give the Terriers a one-point lead.

  • But Castleton would shut down the Terriers offense and would regain the lead, putting the Spartans ahead 60-47 with 12 minutes to play.

  • The Terriers would rally late, making some key defensive stops and hitting big free throws to try and slow down the Spartans momentum.

  • Sophomore James Phelan would hit a crucial jumper and Junior Jackson Ruelke would score a fast-break layup off a steal, and would cut the deficit to only five points with five minutes to play 

  • The Terriers would continue to make it close, cutting the deficit to 3 points with two minutes to play.

  • But Castleton would eventually put a stop to the Terriers run, and would steal the game handing Thomas their third loss of the season.
     

NOTABLE STATS: 

Cooper Wirkala – 19 PTS, 6 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL - Wirkala was also named to the Amherst College Classic All-Tournament team

Parker Desjardins – 16 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL 

Shareef Jones – 11 PTS, 2 REB, 1 STL 

Jackson Ruelke – 8 PTS, 11 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL 

WHAT'S NEXT:

  • The Terriers will host the Colby College Mules at Larry Mahaney Gymnasium, on Tuesday, November 21st, at 7:30 PM.
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