NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's basketball team rolled out to an early 21-point first quarter lead and never looked back, clawing past intrastate rival Vermont State University Johnson, 77-44, to scoop up their first win of the 2023-24 season in non-conference action at Andrews Hall on Friday evening.

Erika Thomas (Burlington, N.C.) spurred the effort on the opening possession, drilling her first of three long-range bombs in the first quarter en route to scoring 13 points in the opening frame.  A second trey by Thomas a few minutes later opened up an offensive onslaught by the Cadets, as Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) and Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.) logged a pair of back-to-back baskets to build an early double-digit advantage.  Mallorie Chalmers (Milton, Vt.) got in on the first quarter escapades, nailing a late jumper to kick off a career-best nine-point performance on the night.

The Badgers would not stray away from their efforts, but Norwich's defense never allowed VTSU Johnson back within single-digits.  The Cadets stretched their lead back to 20-plus on a third-quarter-opening jumper from McGinn, enjoying a quarter-high edge of 25 late on a Brewster fastbreak jumper.  A 7-0 run at the start of the fourth would push Norwich ahead by 30, as a jumper from Chalmers and a freebie by Silas Bernier (Jaffrey, N.H.) handed the Cadets their largest lead of 34, 72-38.

Brewster led the offensive show, logging 24 points to go with nine caroms and four steals.  McGinn flirted with a near triple-double, posting 16 points inside alongside nine boards and six steals.  Thomas logged a new career-high, finishing with 15 points to round out the trio of double-digit scorers.

Norwich was dominant in nearly every statistical category, owning a 40-9 advantage in points off turnovers and a 30-14 edge in points in the paint.  The Cadets controlled the offensive glass and limited VTSU Johnson's possessions, hauling down 25 offensive boards while picking the Badgers' pockets 16 times.

The Cadets will close out their pre-Thanksgiving schedule on Saturday, Nov. 18, with another intrastate clash, this time hosting Vermont State University Lyndon at 1:00 p.m. in Andrews Hall.