Courtesy of Gordon College Sports Information

WENHAM, Mass.—A furious second-half comeback spurred on by the hot hand of Aliah Curry (Windsor, Mass.) gave Norwich University a 69-61 win over the Pilgrims of New England College. The Cadets erased a 13-point deficit in the final 18 minutes of regulation to move on to the championship game of the Gordon College Classic where they will face the host Fighting Scots.

New England College showcased its speed and athleticism in the first half, as they controlled the pace of play throughout the first 20 minutes. The Pilgrims grew a lead as large as 14-points in the first half thanks to the consistent play of Taylor Burgess (Randallstown, Md.). The senior had her way in the paint for NEC, making five of her eight attempts from the field in the first half for a halftime total of 12 points. Marjani Lillard (Bowie, Md.) and Utshana Durham (Brooklyn, N.Y.) also pitched in six points apiece, as Norwich struggled to keep up with NEC's run-and-gun offense.

Curry, Kelsey Lotti (South Yarmouth, Mass.) and Heather LeBlanc (Sanford, Maine) combined for 23 points in the first half for the Cadets, but only one other Norwich player managed a bucket in the first 20 minutes. The Pilgrims led 35-25 at the end of the first stanza.

NEC grew its lead to 13 points in the first minute of the second half when Norwich began to methodically chip away at the Pilgrim's lead. The long-range jumpers started to fall in bunches for the Cadets and Norwich eventually caught up to the Pilgrims at 46-46 with 12 minutes to play. Back and forth the two teams battled for control, as the game remained tied at 58 points with less than three on the game clock.

With 1:54 remaining Lotti hit a kick-out triple for the Cadets to give them a 61-58 lead. After a missed three by Lillard, Curry brought the ball down the floor for the transition jumper to give Norwich its largest lead to that point at five points. Norwich was able to bring its lead to seven with less than 30 seconds in the game until sub Corina Moore (Derry, N.H.) connected on a long three for the Pilgrims. NEC would not score again in the game and Norwich made four free-throws down the stretch to ice the contest.

Burgess had 18 points and 11 boards for the Pilgrims. Lillard also had a well-balanced game with 11 points, seven rebounds and five steals. The sophomore also led NEC in assists with four. NEC drops to 2-1 on the year and will face Wheelock (1-1) in the consolation game at 1 p.m.

Curry was the leading scorer in the game with 24 points, while also contributing a positive assist-to-turnover ratio with seven dimes. Lotti (17 points) and LeBlanc (10 points) also had standout performances, which Shyann Josler (Thetford, Vt.) came alive in the second half to score 12 points. The Cadets (3-1) were outrebounded by the Pilgrims 47-39 in the game, but Norwich moves onto the championship game versus Gordon at 3 p.m. on Saturday. ​