CASTLETON, Vt.-For the first time in 359 days the Northern Vermont University-Johnson women's basketball program took the court competitively as they traveled to Castleton University for their first contest of the 2020-2021 season on Monday afternoon.

Ellery Kiefer was the top performer for the Badgers on the evening scoring 12 points, 8 rebounds and four assists. Melissaann Clark and Madelyn House each chipped in six apiece and newcomer Gabriella Wardwell contributed a game high ten boards as the Badgers dropped their opening contest of the season by a score of 83-37. 

Castleton (1-2) opened up the contest on an early 11-4 run that was a result from baskets by Elise Magro, Brooke Raiche, and Taylor Goodell. The Spartans held the initial lead and closed the opening quarter 21-6. 

Clark opened up the scoring for the Badgers in the second stint of action knocking down a shot from behind the arc. It was the Spartans who responded with eleven unanswered points and kept control heading into the break with the lead. 

The Spartans remained in control in the third period of play capitalizing off up tempo offense and holding the Badgers in scoring. In the fourth and final quarter the Badgers outscored the Spartans 20-17 with seven players contributing in scoring, but it wasn't enough as the Spartans earned the win and improved to 1-2 on the season. 

For the game the Badgers shot 35.6% from the floor and the Spartans shot 35.2%. The difference in the contest was turnovers that resulted in second chance points for the Spartans. 

With the loss Northern Vermont University-Johnson drops to 0-1 on the season with hopes to compete in their second game this Friday against Fisher College in Carter Gymnasium.