CASTLETON, Vt. - Despite building a double-digit lead in the second half, the Norwich University men's basketball team came up just short in its opening game of the Vermont State University Castleton Tournament, falling to St. John Fisher College, 65-60, in non-conference action on Friday evening at Glenbrook Gymnasium.

Joe Joe DuBrul (Shelburne, Vt.) led all scorers with a 20-point performance, knocking down five three-pointers to pace the Cadets' offense.  Riley Severy (Barre, Vt.) notched career-highs in points and rebounds, recording a 12-point, 10-board double-double.  Michel Ndayishimiye (Colchester, Vt.) and Sharif Sharif (Burlington, Vt.) chipped in seven points apiece, with Ndayishimiye handing out a team-best four assists.

Following a minute-long scoreless stretch to open the game, Mohammed Kanneh (South Burlington, Vt.) put Norwich on the board with a putback layup, before DuBrul followed with his first triple to extend the early edge.  Both teams traded baskets through much of the first half, with the Cardinals momentarily pulling ahead before Norwich answered each push.  The Cadets tied the game on four occasions, including at 17-17 on a Kanneh finish at the 12:20 mark.

Severy powered an 8-0 Cadet run with five straight points, but the Cardinals trimmed the margin to one with under five minutes left in the half.  Clutch free-throws by Sharif and key buckets from Severy and DuBrul helped Norwich maintain its momentum, sending the Cadets into the break with a 35-31 lead.

DuBrul came out firing to start the second half, scoring eight consecutive points on a personal run to stretch Norwich's lead to double digits.  Another DuBrul triple ballooned the margin to a game-high 13 points just under seven minutes into the frame.

St. John Fisher responded with an 18-5 run to draw even at 51-all and then took its first lead of the second half shortly thereafter.  The Cadets briefly cut the deficit to three on a three-pointer from Mike Johnson-Correia (Mattapan, Mass.) off a Sharif assist, but the Cardinals held firm down the stretch.

Despite five late points from Ndayishimiye and a free-throw from DuBrul, the Cadets could not close the gap, as St. John Fisher held on for the five-point win.

Norwich finished with a 35-33 edge on the glass and forced 15 Cardinal turnovers in the contest.

The Cadets return to Glenbrook Gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 15, for a 12:00 p.m. matchup against the University of Maine-Farmington.  Norwich then returns home on Tuesday, Nov. 18, to host New England College in a 6:00 p.m. non-conference tilt inside Andrews Hall.