Box Score NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University women's basketball team battled Johnson & Wales (R.I.) University on Saturday in a matchup that would determine the final two seeds in the upcoming Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's basketball tournament. After being outscored in the opening half, the Cadets stormed back in the second half but ultimately fell 57-46 on Senior Day at Andrews Gym.
The loss closes out the Cadets' season record at 8-17 overall with a 4-7 mark in the GNAC. Norwich will now face top-seeded Emmanuel in the GNAC Quarterfinal slated for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
In a brief ceremony before the game, the women's basketball program honored senior players Katie Dixon (Revere, Mass.), Sara Bradley (Sunnyside, N.Y.), and KristieAnn DeSilvio (Chelmsford, Mass.) recognizing them for their hard work and dedication during their careers. The team also honored four-year student-assistant coach Benjamin Zacher (Newport, Pa.) for his sideline, social media, and all-encompassing presence.
Norwich and Johnson & Wales (13-12, 5-6 GNAC) both started the game off quietly as the score remained 6-3 in favor of the Wildcats through the 2:48 mark of the opening quarter. The visitors closed out the period by outscoring the Cadets 6-4 to take a 12-7 lead into the second stanza.
JWU used a 12-3 run through the first eight minutes to extend its lead to 24-10 as Marissa Cottrell powered the visitors with seven points during the run.
Norwich countered with a 6-0 run punctuated by four points from junior guard Julia Vigorito (Malden, Mass.) to trim the lead to 24-16.
The Wildcats ended the first half with a 30-foot three-pointer as the buzzer went off to give them a 27-16 lead. The team had been scrambling to corral a loose ball when Tera-Nay Lee picked up the ball and heaved a last-second attempt at the rim which found nothing but net.
With 3:13 remaining in the third quarter, the Cadets still found themselves trailing by 11 points at 38-27, but ended the period on a 5-0 run to reduce the deficit to 38-33.
A layup by junior forward Kailynne Frederick (Adams, Mass.) made it a one-possession game at the 8:53 mark with the Cadets behind just 38-35. The hosts had a chance to draw even but missed a shot attempt and turned the ball over after gaining the offensive rebound.
The Wildcats followed up that missed opportunity by the Cadets with 13-straight points to essentially put the game out of reach at the 5:30 mark. With the win, the Wildcats grab the 7th seed in the tournament and will square off against the second-seeded squad from Saint Joseph's (Maine) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Frederick led the Cadets with her sixth double-double of the year tallying 12 points and 10 rebounds. Vigorito contributed 11 points and six boards while junior forward Caileigh Travers (Cottage Valley, N.Y.) tacked on seven points and eight rebounds.
