CASTLETON, Vt.— The Skidmore College men's basketball team held Castleton University to six points over the final 7:29 on the way to an 86-67 non-league road win Tuesday night.
 
The Thoroughbreds even their record at 1-1. It was the season opener for the Spartans.
 
Up 66-61 with 7:29 to play, Skidmore went on a 19-3 run over the next four minutes to open up an 85-64 lead.  Jack Byrne started the run with a field goal and a pair of free throws. Erik Sanders had eight of the next 13 points, while Royce Paris had a key three. Edvinas Rupkus capped the run with a steal and a quick lay-up.
 
Sanders led six Thoroughbreds in double figures with 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds and four assists. Martin Bedulskij had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Paris finished with 14 points. Rupkus, Aldin Medunjanin, and Isaac Carp had 10 points each.
 
Skidmore shot 55.2 percent from the floor for the game, hitting 32 of 58 field goals.
 
"Good hard fought win tonight," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke.  "Castleton is a tough place to win. They had a great crowd, they have good players and are really well coached.

"I'm proud of how the guys responded on the second half. We had a good halftime chat and I thought they came out and played Skidmore Basketball for 20 minutes. We played tough, defended and got out in transition. I also thought we got terrific contributions from our bench.

"We needed that kind of environment to get us ready for Saturday. We will be on the road in a hostile environment against one of the best teams in the country. It will be a great challenge but it is one we are excited about.
 
Next up is a road trip to Wooster, Ohio and a game against the College of Wooster on Nov. 21 at 1 p.m.