HENNIKER, N.H. – The Norwich University men's basketball team opened 2016 with a 67-62 win over New England College (NEC) Saturday afternoon. The Cadets would grab their first lead of the second half at the three minute mark and close out the final minute hitting all seven attempts from the foul line for the win.

With the win, Norwich improves to 3-7 on the season, while New England falls to 2-7 overall.

Sophomore guards Zygimantas Sirvydas (Silale, Lithuania) and Ryan Booth (Northfield, Vt.) each finished with 16 points for the Maroon and Gold. Classmate Mike Hogervorst (Leiden, Netherlands) led all rebounders with eight on the afternoon to go along with six points, while David Hampton (Lebanon, N.H.) and Chibuzor Ogbue (Framingham, Mass.) each chipped in eight points.

The two teams would battle evenly through the opening minutes of the first half as the Pilgrims would grab their first lead of the game at the 10:02 mark thanks to a jumper by senior Dezron Wilson (Nashua, N.H.).  NEC would build their lead to as many as eight late in the half but Norwich would respond outscoring NEC 13-4 over the final six minutes, including the go-ahead bucket by Hampton as time expired, giving the Cadets the 31-30 halftime advantage.

NEC opened the second half with a three-pointer from freshman Ricky Leonard (Windsor, Conn.) giving the Pilgrims the early second half lead.  NEC would lead by as many as 10 midway through the half before the Cadets would again storm back using a 16-5 run to go up one with three minutes to play.  Norwich would not trail the remainder of the game and nailed seven foul shots in the final 40 seconds to solidify the 67-62 victory.

Norwich finished the game shooting 45% from the field as NEC shot just 37%.  NEC held the 34-29 advantage on the boards, while the Pilgrims turned the ball over 17 times compared to the Cadets who finished with 14 turnovers.

Norwich will hit the court again on Tuesday, Jan. 5 when they travel to take on conference opponent Emmanuel College for the 5:30 p.m. tip-off.