NORTHFIELD, Vt.—Despite seeing four players score in double-figures, the Norwich University men's basketball team fell 71-65 to Emerson College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action on Tuesday evening. 

With the loss, the Cadets fall to 3-8 overall and 0-4 in GNAC action, while the win boosts the visiting Lions to 5-6 overall and 3-1 in league play.

The Cadets saw double-figure performances by Tom McDonald (Groton, Mass.) who lead Norwich scorers with 15 points, Josh Cabrera (Providence, R.I.), who chipped in with 14, and Evan Tullar (Chelsea, Vt.) and Alex Preckol (Westford, Mass.), who added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Emerson's Jon Goldberg posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.  He shot 5-9 from the floor and added 6-8 shooting from the free-throw line to aid the Lions.  Mike Carbone was the game's high-scorer with 18 points six three-point baskets.

In the first half, Emerson would lead by 10 points at 24-14 with 9:04 left to play.  Norwich would outscore Emerson 11-1 in the next four minutes to knot the score at 25-25, but the Cadets were unable to claim the lead as Emerson scored the next five points and extended the lead to as many as nine before taking a 41-33 lead into halftime.

Emerson posted a 51.5 percent shooting percentage in the first half, while Norwich closely followed with a 50 percent shooting percentage.

The Lions led by as many as 10 points in the first half, and held a seven-point advantage with 4:41 left in the game.  Norwich's Preckol then connected on back-to-back three-point baskets to bring the Cadets within one point, but with 1:57 to play, Emerson's Brian Hurley made a free-throw and then collected his own rebound on his second free-throw attempt and hit the layup to give the Lions a four-point advantage at 67-64. 

Norwich was forced to foul for possession as time expired, allowing Emerson to extend the lead to 71-65 on free-throws. 

The Cadets posted a 52.4 shooting percentage in the second half, including 35.7 percent shooting from three-point range.  The Lions shot 40 percent in the second half and finished the game 11-15 from the free-throw line.

Norwich returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 10 when it hosts Anna Maria College in GNAC action at 7:00 p.m.