NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Norwich University women's basketball team concluded its season at Mitchell College, with a late Cadet rally falling shy in the closing minutes in a 77-67 loss to the Mariners in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday afternoon.

Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) closed a strong year with another double-double, posting 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Cadets.  Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.) netted 17 points, while Sage MacAuley (Barre, Vt.) wrapped up an impressive freshman season with 10 points, 10 caroms, and five helpers.

The Mariners opened the scoring early, rushing out to a quick seven-point lead before the Cadets' offense came to life.  Four straight free throws and a Silas Bernier (Jaffrey, N.H.) jumper brought the visitors back within one, but the hosts extended their lead to a quarter-high eight points before the break.

The second quarter followed much of the same, as the Cadets remained close, but the Mariners exploded, breaking open a two-point game to capture a 20-point edge at halftime.

While Mitchell kept Norwich at bay throughout the third, eight-straight points out of the gates in the fourth gave the Cadets newfound momentum.  The Cadets whittled Mitchell's lead down to single digits on jumpers from Brewster and McGinn while layups from Mallorie Chalmers (Milton, Vt.) and Bernier brought Mitchell's advantage to six.

However, the Mariners would ice the game from the charity stripe, with four free throws from Yasmine Santos sealing the deal in the final 39 seconds.

The Cadets owned a dominant 40-28 lead in points in the paint while maintaining a 17-13 edge in second-chance points.  Norwich shot 43.9% from the floor.