BOSTON, Mass. - The Norwich University women's basketball team fought valiantly against Emmanuel College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) duel on Tuesday evening, dropping an 82-62 affair in the heart of Boston at the Jean Yawkey Center.

Haley Brewster (Virginia, Va.) poured in a season-high 30 points to go with six boards, five assists, and four steals, while Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) was a near-perfect 8-10 from the floor, finishing with 16 points, six caroms, and three steals.

The Cadets thrived in the opening minutes, getting on the board first on a Silas Bernier (Jaffrey, N.H.) layup before recovering from an Emmanuel run with three treys, two from Brewster and one from Bernier, to capture an 11-10 lead halfway through the first quarter.  The Saints answered with an 8-0 run of their own, promptly cut to five on a McGinn lay-in before the break.

Norwich would have opportunities in the second quarter, trimming Emmanuel's lead down to two twice, but could not get over the hump, as Emmanuel ended the opening half on an 11-0 run and extended its lead into double-digit territory.

Norwich refused to wither, posting 26 third-quarter points while keeping within striking distance of the Saints.  A pair of Rachel Botala (Grand Isle, Vt.) freebies and a Brewster jumper would place Norwich within 11, but Emmanuel prevented the Cadets from inching any closer in the final 15 minutes of action.

Olivia Matela led Emmanuel with 25 points, while Yannie Chan logged 14 points.

A season-defining showdown with Colby-Sawyer College on Thursday, Feb. 2, now looms large for the Cadets, as a win would help bolster the hunt for a playoff spot heading into the final month of the regular season.  Tip-off against the Chargers is slated for 5:00 p.m. in Andrews Hall.