NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University women's basketball team led wire to wire in a 61-32 victory over NVU-Johnson at home in the team's season home opener at Andrews on Sunday afternoon. The victory gives the Cadets a sweep of the Badgers through three games in 2021.

Both teams struggled shooting the ball in the opening quarter, but Norwich (3-1) took advantage of some looks in the paint to build a 9-0 lead through the first 5:13 of the period. A three ball by the Badgers' sophomore Devyn Thompson ended the run at the 4:13 mark. The Cadets started anew reeling of six-straight points to end the quarter capped by a jumper by senior Julia Vigorio (Malden, Mass.) to take a 15-3 lead into the second stanza.

Norwich began to find the range in the second quarter hitting on 7-of-16 attempts to extend its lead. Vigorito topped all scorers in the period with seven points on 3-of-3 shooting scoring in the paint, from mid-range, and from deep. Her three-pointer just before the end of the half sent the hosts into the locker room with a 31-11 lead.

The teams played fairly evenly throughout the third period with both teams shooting under 25 percent. NVU-Johnson's Thompson canned a pair of three-pointers for the visitors while Vigorito remained hot for the Cadets tallying five more points. Heading into the final period, Norwich held a 41-20 advantage.

With their lead solidly established, the Cadets used the fourth quarter to give some of their younger players some additional run. Freshman Toni Adipietro (Bloomingburg, N.Y.) took full advantage scoring all of her season-high 11 points in the quarter. Her fourth quarter line was buoyed by a pair of three-pointers and she also tallied a pair of assists.  Senior Aysha Hodgdon tacked on a pair of three-pointers herself to lead the Badgers with six points in the quarter.

Vigorito's career day saw her score a career-best 20 points and collect 10 rebounds which gave her her third career double-double. Senior Riley Bennett (Hopkinton, N.H.) contributed 13 points while Adipietro added five assists to her 11 points. Senior Emily Schromm steered the offense with seven assists.

Thompson's 12 points were a team-high for the Badgers who also received nine points and nine boards from senior Ellery Kiefer. Freshman Gabriella Wardwell tied Vigorito for a game-high with 10 rebounds.

Norwich will remain in the comfy confines of Andrews Gym for its rematch with Castleton on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.