STANDISH, Maine—The Norwich University men's basketball team suffered a 69-46 loss to the Monks of Saint Joseph's College on Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action.

With the loss, the Cadets fall to 4-13 overall and 2-8 in GNAC action, while the win boosts the Monks to 9-8 overall and a flawless 8-0 in league play.

Sophomore Alex Preckol (Westford, Mass.) had a breakout game off the bench for the Cadets, netting a career-high 17 points in 6-10 shooting from the floor, including a 5-7 performance from three-point range. Senior Tom McDonald (Groton, Mass.) added 16 points, while Nickolai Havoutis (Coral Glades, Fla.) chipped in with eight.

The Monks had four different players score in double figures, led by Matt Medeiros with 23 points. Nick Jobin added 11 points, while Steve Simonds and Zach Blodgett both finished with 10.

The opening minutes of the first half were deadlocked as the teams traded baskets, and the lead, for a majority of the first 12 minutes. Neither team would lead by more than five points until the 1:46 mark of the first period, when a free-throw by Jobin put the Monks up 27-21. The Monks would further their lead to 32-21 with seconds to play before Preckol nailed a three with three seconds on the clock to set the 32-24 halftime score.

Norwich opened the second half with five straight points to come within three points, but the Monks answered with a 13-0 run to open up a 16-point lead with 12:28 to play. Saint Joseph's held the Cadets at arm's length for the rest of the game en route to the 69-46 win.

The Monks hit 49.0 percent of field goal attempts (24-49). 14 of their 24 made field goals were from three-point range. Norwich hit 17-45 field goals (37.8 percent), and 10-26 from behind the three-point arc.

Norwich returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 29 when they host Lasell College at 7:00 p.m.