NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Behind a dominant second quarter and standout performances from Cassidy Kittredge (Waterford, Vt.) and Maggi Ellsworth (West Topsham, Vt.), the Norwich University women's basketball team earned a 68-55 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory over Lasell University on Wednesday night inside Andrews Hall.

The Cadets improved to 8-9 overall and 4-1 in GNAC play, while Lasell dropped to 15-4 and 4-2 in conference action.

Kittredge led all scorers with 25 points and added seven rebounds, hitting three three-pointers and setting the tone early with confident shooting.  Ellsworth poured in 19 points of her own, grabbed five boards, and added four steals in a complete effort.  Jessica Zimmerman (Turner, Maine) also reached double figures with 10 points and seven rebounds, helping Norwich control key stretches of play on both ends.

Norwich surged ahead on a 5-0 run punctuated by a Kittredge triple and a jumper from Kiley O'Brien (Kingston, Mass.).  The Cadets carried that momentum into the second quarter, outscoring the Lasers 23-2 in the frame while holding the visitors to just one made field goal.  Kittredge knocked down another timely three, and Ellsworth added a string of mid-range jumpers as the Cadets extended their lead into double digits before halftime.

Norwich's defense set the tone throughout the middle quarters, creating turnovers and limiting Lasell to one-shot possessions.  The Cadets led 34-22 at the break and withstood a push from the Lasers in the third quarter, as the visitors trimmed the deficit with increased physicality.  Norwich's offense cooled temporarily, but key stops and rebounding allowed the Cadets to maintain control.

The fourth quarter saw Norwich re-establish its rhythm.  The Cadets limited Lasell to 14 fourth-quarter points and secured the 68–55 result with disciplined execution down the stretch.  The Cadets' active defense forced turnovers and created transition opportunities, leading to easy scores that energized the home crowd on Corps Appreciation Night. 

The Cadets now turn their focus to a key GNAC road matchup at second-place Regis College on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1:00 p.m.  Norwich enters the contest riding momentum from its fourth league win and will look to climb the standings in the back half of the GNAC slate.