PLYMOUTH, N.H. - A furious fourth-quarter rally by the Norwich University women's basketball team came up short on Friday night, as a three-point barrage from Plymouth State University proved decisive in a 78-69 setback for the Cadets in non-conference action at Foley Gym.

Gracie Laster (Arlington, Va.) paced the Cadets with 16 points off the bench on 8-15 shooting, while Kiley O'Brien (Kingston, Mass.) chipped in 15 points in just 19 minutes of action.  Maggi Ellsworth (West Topsham, Vt.) added 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

Norwich struck first on a connection from Jessica Zimmerman (Turner, Maine) to O'Brien, and briefly held a 4-2 lead after a Mallorie Chalmers (Milton, Vt.) basket.  The Panthers responded with back-to-back makes to take their first lead, before another O'Brien bucket from beyond the arc briefly restored Norwich's advantage.

A Plymouth State triple moments later gave the hosts a lead they would not surrender.  The Cadets trailed by just four at the end of the first quarter and stayed within striking distance early in the second, but a 16-2 Panther run ballooned the deficit to 20 points close to halftime.

The margin grew to as much as 27 in the third quarter before a late push, capped by a Cassidy Kittredge (Waterford, Vt.) three-pointer, trimmed the gap to 17.  Plymouth State closed the frame strong, however, and carried a 24-point edge into the final period.

Norwich refused to go quietly, chipping away at the deficit throughout the fourth.  A steal and layup by Ellsworth cut the lead to single digits with just under two minutes remaining, but the Panthers held firm down the stretch to hand the Cadets their first loss of the season.

The Cadet bench once again played a major role, outscoring Plymouth State's reserves, 37-19, including a 31-8 edge in the second half.  Norwich also held slim advantages in points in the paint (38-36) and fast break points (10-5).

Norwich finished the night shooting 46.0% from the floor, including a 55.3% mark (26-47) on two-point attempts.  Plymouth State's 10 made three-pointers, however, proved to be the key difference.

The Cadets continue their four-game road stretch on Tuesday, Nov. 18, with a 5:30 p.m. matchup at intrastate foe Middlebury College.  Norwich will then face Vermont State University Johnson on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the historic Barre Auditorium.