WATERVILLE, Maine - Behind six double-digit scorers, the Norwich University men's basketball team kicked off the Charlie Ryan Tournament in emphatic fashion, coasting to an 80-56 victory over the host Thomas College Terriers in non-conference action at the Larry Mahaney Gymnasium on Saturday night.
The Cadets' offensive prowess was on full display from the get-go, as four different Cadets poured in the first four Norwich baskets, with
Kohlby Murray (Fair Haven, Vt.) spurring the onslaught on a jumper just over a minute into the tilt. Norwich would never allow the Terriers to claim a lead, despite Thomas remaining within striking distance on a three-pointer from Cooper Wirkala that brought the Cadets' edge down to one, 17-16, nearly halfway through the frame.
A swift 9-0 run by the Cadets erased any momentum, however, as Norwich's lead would balloon to as large as 20 in the waning seconds on a
Charles Nogard (Oviedo, Fla.) layup. Norwich's defense would ramp up to open up the second half, including for a stretch where the Terriers were held scoreless for nearly five minutes.
Thomas attempted to find a flow throughout the stanza, trimming Norwich's advantage to below 20 on a few occasions, but the Cadets' offense remained dominant.Â
Jalen Olivero (Holyoke, Mass.) granted the Cadets their largest lead of the game, 77-48 on a fast-break three-pointer with three and a half minutes remaining in the contest.
Norwich never lost steam in any facet of the game, holding edges in points off turnovers (17-9), second chance points (12-3), bench points (30-29), fast break points (18-10), and, most significantly, points in the paint (56-24).
Six players notched double-figures, led by
Owen Liss (Suffield, Conn.) and his 15 points off the bench in just 16 minutes of action. Murray and
Rodrick Pearson (Hartford, Conn.) tallied 13 apiece, with Murray logging four steals while Pearson added nine boards and five blocks, while
Joe Joe DuBrul (Shelburne, Vt.) recorded 12 points. Olivero and Nogard rounded out the double-digit efforts with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Cadets will close out the Charlie Ryan Tournament tomorrow, Nov. 12, taking on the University of Maine-Farmington at 4:00 p.m. at the Larry Mahaney Gymnasium. Norwich will then return home for its home opener, hosting the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m.
