NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University men's basketball team picked up their first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament victory in 11 years downing Rivier 65-63 in a thriller in Andrews Hall on Tuesday.

Donovan Lewis Jr. (Savannah, Ga.) scored 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, while pulling down nine rebounds and knocking down seven shots from the free throw line. Kyle Booth (Northfield, Vt.) added 14 points and nine rebounds with three assists and Jalen Olivero (Holyoke, Mass.) added 13 points with four rebounds on the defensive end.

After a slow start saw the Cadets trailing 12-4 with 15:23 remaining in the opening half, Norwich's offense sparked to life with back-to-back threes by Olivero and Kohlby Murray (Fair Haven, Vt.) to bring the Cadets within two. Rivier's Miles Gillette converted his layup attempt with 14:14 remaining in the contest but the Cadets responded with buckets on back-to-back possessions to even the score at 14-14.

With Norwich holding a 16-15 advantage, Rivier had their second eight-point scoring run of the game taking a 23-16 lead over the Cadets after a three-pointer by Nikolas Pignone.

Rivier then held a 28-22 lead but Lewis Jr. found a way to the basket converting a lay-in attempt that sparked a 13-point run as the Cadets held a 33-30 lead at the half.

Norwich maintained their three-point lead until Gillette knocked down a three-pointer with 13:23 on the clock in the second half, Murray responded the very next Cadet possession with a three of his own to retake the lead. After an offensive rebound by the Raiders' Pharaoh Davis, Will Parson knocked down a three and his ensuing free throw to take a one-point lead for Rivier.

Rivier held a five-point advantage with 5:28 to go and Lewis Jr. four straight point for the Cadets to pull within one, before Olivero converted on a jumper to retake the lead.

After back-to-back threes from Olivero and Owen Liss (West Suffield, Conn.), Pignone knocked down a pair of three-point jumpers for the Raiders on their next two possessions, pulling within one. With 57 seconds remaining Lewis Jr. scored the game-winner after Olivero connected with him on a pass into the post for Lewis Jr. to lay-in. The Norwich defense withstood the offense of Rivier to seal the victory.

Norwich (15-11, 9-8 GNAC) will now travel to No. 3 Lasell for their GNAC Tournament Quarterfinal matchup against the Lasers tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7 pm in the Lasell Athletic Center.