WATERVILLE, Maine - The Norwich University men's basketball team nearly pulled off an undefeated weekend in Maine, ultimately falling in overtime to the University of Maine-Farmington, 81-80, in the second day of the Charlie Ryan Tournament on Sunday evening at Thomas College's Larry Mahaney Gymnasium.
The Cadets overcame a slow start and a 7-0 spurt by the Beavers to open the game, embarking on their own 10-0 run to spur the offense to life. UMF promptly responded, but Norwich held its own, reclaiming a lead off back-to-back baskets from
Jalen Olivero (Holyoke, Mass.) and
Tom Dooling (Boston, Mass.). The Beavers recovered, taking an eight-point lead late in the opening stanza and carrying a five-point edge into the break after a
Charles Nogard (Oveido, Fla.) snipe from long-range whittled the lead down before the buzzer.
Norwich's efforts to continue trimming the lead carried over into the second frame, as clutch baskets from
Kohlby Murray (Fair Haven, Vt.), Olivero, and Nogard kept the Beavers within striking distance. The Cadets finally overcame the hump on a fast-break layup from Olivero, which would begin a back-and-forth affair that saw eight ties in the second half. Neither team led by more than four points from this point, and, despite UMF maintaining the lead for a majority of the latter portion of the second half, the Cadets seized the lead on a tough drive through traffic by
Owen Liss (West Suffield, Conn.) that put Norwich ahead, 69-67, with 1:18 left.
Norwich seemed to be in control, but the Beavers struck in the waning seconds on their own attempt in traffic, as Zachary Mickle knotted the contest with 11 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. UMF wasted no time in the extra session, drilling a three-pointer just 21 seconds in and never relinquished the lead.
The Cadets came close to overcoming UMF's lead, as a Liss trey from the top of the key brought Norwich within one and Olivero tied the frame up at 78-all moments later after a UMF freebie, but the Beavers sealed the deal on a clutch layup and free-throw in the final 30 seconds to steal victory.
Norwich saw five players log double-figures, spearheaded by 17-point performances from Nogard and Olivero, with the latter recording a double-double with 10 caroms. Liss tallied 15 points off the bench, while Murray and
Joe Joe DuBrul (Shelburne, Vt.) added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The men's team will have another quick turnaround before their next game, hosting the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Tuesday, Nov. 14, for their home opener at 5:30 p.m. The Cadets will then close out the week before Thanksgiving break with a Saturday, Nov. 18 duel against Vermont State University Johnson at 3:00 p.m. in Andrews Hall.
