The Spartans opened up a 13-point advantage (24-11) following a jumper by sophomore Rich Reilly (Massassas, Va./Osbourn Park) midway through the first half, but Mount Ida clawed back to slice the deficit to two points (36-34) at the break.
Castleton maintained the edge in the second stanza, leading by as many as ten points. The Spartans led 79-72 with 3:12 remaining in regulation, but a jumper by junior Doug Williams (Ellicot City, Md./St. Mary’s) brought Mount Ida to within two points with 1:24 on the clock. Reilly knocked down 1-of-2 free throws to give the visitors a three-point cushion (80-77), and the Mustangs failed to convert as the final buzzer sounded.
Jorgensen, who had a double-double after one half of play (14 points, 11 rebounds), knocked down 10-of-18 shots from the field and 12-of-15 from the free-throw stripe. The Spartans also received solid production from senior Brian Bradley (Middlebury, Vt./Middlebury), who drilled three trifectas en route to a 19 point, five rebound performance. Freshman Larnell Jackson (Bridgeport, Conn./St. Joseph) added 12 points and five boards, while Reilly dished out a game-high six assists.
Four players recorded double-digit scoring afternoons to lead a balanced attack for the Mount Ida. Sophomore Mike Dunham (Salem, N.H./Salem) registered a club-best 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, while senior Matt McGaughran (Taunton, Mass./Coyle & Cassidy), Williams and classmate Andreas Vasiliu (Newton, Mass./Newton North) registered 11 points apiece. Williams added seven boards, and freshman Otis Thompson (Gardner, Mass./Gardner) rounded things out with eight points, along with a team-high ten rebounds and a game-best seven blocks.
Mount Ida (1-9, 0-2 NAC) returns to action on Thursday, when it travels to the University of New England for an out-of-conference clash beginning at 6:00 p.m. Castleton State (2-5, 1-1 NAC) hosts non-conference foe Skidmore College on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.