NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University men's basketball team was even with the Saint Joseph's College Monks throughout the game but were unable to overcome a jumper in the final seconds of the contest, falling 79-78, Saturday afternoon in Andrews Hall.

Donovan Lewis Jr. (Savannah, Ga.) scored 22 points while coming off the bench. Jalen Olivero (Holyoke, Mass.) scored 19 points while shooting 8-of-12 from the field.  Including three three-pointers. Kyle Booth (Northfield, Vt.) added 10 points and seven rebounds, while Kohlby Murray (Fair Haven, Vt.) added another 10 points.

Norwich trailed by 13-points with 7:38 remaining in the first half, but Caleb Casinas (Aiea, Hawaii) knocked down a jumper to cut into the 30-17 deficit, sparking a 12 -point run that brought the Cadets back to within one.

The Cadets and Monks traded baskets back and forth as they evened the score 40-40 heading into the halftime break.

After 2:11 seconds played in the second half Norwich held a 46-42 advantage over the Monks, but Saint Joseph's made sure that they could not expand the lead any further. The Monks stayed within five points before evening things up at 53 apiece.

The Monks took a 58-56 lead with 13:11 remaining in the contest after David Keohan made a three-point jumper.

Saint Joseph's pushed their lead to seven, but the Cadets were able to crawl back into the contest evening the game with 1:30 remaining in regulation.  The Cadets took the lead their next possession after a steal by Olivero broke Norwich free and ended the ensuing possession with a slam by Lewis Jr.

Norwich held a 78-77 lead, but Saint Joseph's Nicholas Curtis found enough space to knock down a jumper with nine seconds on the clock to seal the victory for the Monks.

Norwich (10-10, 5-7 GNAC) will travel to Boston on Wednesday, Feb. 9 for a 7:30 pm matchup with the Saints of Emmanuel.  They will then host Dean College on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 3 pm where they will celebrate Senior Day.