PAXTON, Mass. - The Norwich University men's basketball team picked up their fourth Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory of the year on Thursday night, defeating the AMCATS of Anna Maria College by an 89-84 final score. 

The Cadets came out on fire in the first half, shooting a blistering 69.7% from the field to build a 54-44 halftime lead over the hosting AMCATS. A late fourth quarter 12-0 run by Anna Maria suddenly trimmed a large Norwich lead to a mere five-points with just under four minutes left in the contest. Joe Bertrand (Saugus, Mass.) hit a big 3-pointer to stop the run and make it 79-71 Norwich, but a layup by the AMCATS' Liam Pickett capped another rally by Anna Maria and made it a two-point game with merely seven seconds left on the clock.

After drawing a foul, freshman Jesse Davis (Woodinville, Wash.) stepped to the line and sank his first free throw to make it 87-84 Cadets. His second attempt failed to connect, but Davis managed to snag his own rebound, pick up another foul, and hit his next two free throws to seal the 89-84 victory for Norwich. 

Point guard Zygimantas Sirvydas (Silale, Lithuania) led the Cadets with 25 points and 5 rebounds on the night, while Davis collected 23 points in only 19 minutes of play off the bench. The Cadets finished with a 55.7% mark from the field on the night, including an even 50.0% from 3-point territory. 

The win bumps the Cadets' overall record up to 7-9 on the year and a 4-3 mark within the GNAC. The Cadets return to action this Saturday in Andrews Hall when they host the Lasers of Lasell College for a 1:00 PM GNAC faceoff.