Hall of Fame
The Norwich Women's Basketball team of 1990-91 holds the distinction of producing the best record in program history at 22-2. The team also put together one of the longest, if not the longest, winning streaks in program history, closing out the season with 15 straight victories.
As a team, Norwich averaged 83.7 points per game and in five games, the Cadets reached or surpassed the 100-point plateau. The biggest win of the season was a 107-38 triumph over Rivier College, while the biggest loss of the season was a 116-92 setback to Bloomfield, the final loss. NU defeated most teams by double-digits, but Middlebury and Johnson State both made it close with each team falling by only five points.
Norwich shot 44 percent from the floor, 42 percent from three-point range, and 63 percent at the free throw line. In rebounding, the Cadets averaged 61 boards per game. Freshman Tina Griffiths was NU's leading scorer and rebounder with 24.3 points and 16.5 rebounds per game. Griffith's 397 total rebounds and rebounds per game average remain as one of the top performances by a freshman in the NCAA rebounding record books. Lisa Trujillo, another freshman, was also a big rebounding presence as she averaged 12.7 rebounds per contest. Speaking of freshmen, Norwich sported a freshman that was named either Rookie of the Week or Player of the Week for each week of the season.
Despite the impressive record, the long winning streak, and being ranked nationally in a number of categories, Norwich was not extended a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"We were an (NCAA Division III) Independent team and we relied on an at-large bid," said then NU Head Coach Michele Sharp. "But the (selection committee) said we didn't play a strong enough schedule."
No doubt, there were many who would argue that Norwich had a very strong schedule with the likes of Bates, New England, and Middlebury as some of the foes.
The 1990-91 Norwich Women's Basketball team has an incredible run that remains unmatched to this day. And Coach Sharp says it all began with each individual member.
"Their work ethics were strong and they came from great families," said Sharp. "I enjoyed the kids and have lasting friendships with a number of players."
