JOHNSON, Vt. – The Norwich men's basketball team endured a rough season-opening loss on the road against NVU-Johnson dropping a 95-66 decision to the Badgers in non-conference action at Carter Gym.

The Cadets (0-1) looked the part of a team playing in their first game of the year against an NVU-Johnson (1-3) squad that had several games under its belt already. The Badgers' 95 points were the most the team has scored against the Cadets in the 34 games between the two teams dating back to 1972.

Freshman Jarontez Garrett (Atlanta, Ga.) got the Cadets on the scoreboard first hitting his first collegiate field goal attempt from beyond the arc. That would be the only lead that Norwich would enjoy the remainder of the game as the host Badgers subsequently went on a prolonged run to open up a 31-point lead at 43-12 with 4:37 to go in the first half.

The Badgers played fast causing Norwich into five turnovers leading to eight points and the hosts also made five three-pointers during the run. By the end of the half, the Cadets were trailing NVU-Johnson 50-24.

Norwich reduced the deficit to 23 near the beginning of the second half but was unable to get it any closer as the Badgers used the first-half advantage to cruise to victory.

Ironically, Norwich posted its best shooting line against the Badgers in recent memory hitting on 42.2 percent (27-64) of its shots from the floor. The Badgers were extremely efficient on offense hitting their field goal attempts at a 61.5 (40-65) percent clip.

A major advantage belonging to the hosts was their ability to get contributions from their reserves as 55 of the team's 95 points came from the bench. The Badgers also hit on nearly 40 percent of their three-point attempts.

Norwich was led in scoring by junior Donovan Lewis Jr. (Savannah, Ga.) who scored 15 points. He continues to be one of the most efficient scorers in program history hitting his attempts at a 53.6 percent rate. Senior Kyle Booth (Northfield, Vt.) also scored in double figures with 12 points and added six rebounds and three assists. Junior Spencer Conatser (Reno, Nev.) was perfect from the field, and the charity stripe en route to eight points and six rebounds off the bench.

In addition to Garrett who scored six points, fellow freshmen Jalen Olivero (Holyoke, Mass.) and Amari Scott (Atlanta, Ga.) also each scored their first collegiate points with six and two, respectively. Olivero also chipped in with three rebounds and a team-high four assists.

Norwich will need to regroup quickly as the Cadets host the Badgers tomorrow at home at Andrews Gym at 6 p.m. where they will celebrate Senior Day.