NASHUA, N.H. – The Norwich University men's basketball team clinched their first winning season on Thursday with a 79-73 victory over Rivier in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest.

Samuel-Noah Osarenkhoe (Stockholm, Sweden) knocked down 11-of-15 from the field for a career-high 30 points with eight three-pointers.  Kohlby Murray (Fair Haven, Vt.) scored 13 points while hitting 71.4 percent from the field, Jaydon Cousin (Savannah, Ga.) added 10 points off the bench.

With Norwich holding a slight 11-10 edge 4:57 into the contest, the Raiders' Nesta Roberts score the ensuing five points for Rivier to take the lead. Cousin and Osarenkhoe combined for an eight-point run to retake the lead 19-15 with 11:47 remaining in the first half.

After holding a 33-25 advantage with 6:10 remaining, the Raiders began to cut into the lead with five points scored by Miles Gillette. After the Raiders tied things up with 2:37 left in the half, Rivier was able to outscore the Cadets 6-3 over the final stretch of the first half taking a 43-40 advantage into the break.

With the Cadets opening possession in the second half, Osarenkhoe knocked down a three in the first nine seconds of the half to even things up.  Gillette then knocked down a a jumper, before Osarenkhoe again hit a three-pointer to give the Cadets a one-point edge.

After holding a 10-point lead with 7:40 remaining, Rivier cut the lead down to one point with 3:14 on the clock. The Cadets finally were able to ice the game after a layup by Cousin and some stout defense held off the Raiders for the win.

Norwich (14-10, 9-7 GNAC) will host the University of St. Joseph on Saturday in their final regular season contest of the season.  Norwich will then host their first home playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 22 since 2010-11 season's GNAC quarterfinal.