BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Norwich University men's basketball team opened its 2026-27 campaign in impressive fashion on Sunday afternoon, earning an 81-75 road victory over the University of New England at Coach Beaudry's Court. After battling through a back-and-forth first half, the Cadets found their rhythm after the break and made the key plays down the stretch to secure their first win of the season.
The Nor'easters struck first, opening the contest with an early 6-0 run before Iheririan Harrison (Houston, Texas) got Norwich on the board with a layup. UNE continued to apply pressure in the opening minutes, building an 8-2 advantage, but the Cadets began to settle in offensively and worked to close the gap. Harrison provided an early presence inside, while Norwich began finding opportunities from the perimeter to stay within striking distance.
The opening half featured several momentum swings, with neither side able to create much separation. Norwich used its perimeter shooting to keep pace, knocking down seven three-pointers before halftime, while continuing to attack the glass and generate second-chance opportunities. The Cadets eventually pulled even with the Nor'easters, and the two teams entered the locker room deadlocked at 33-33.
Norwich came out of the break with renewed energy, looking to turn the tight contest in its favor. The Cadets found success attacking the paint and moving the ball offensively, while their defensive effort helped limit UNE's opportunities to build momentum. Paul Comba (South Burlington, Vt.) provided a spark in the backcourt, connecting on key shots as Norwich began to establish control. Jordan Ricketts (Stratford, Conn.) also helped orchestrate the offense, distributing the ball and creating opportunities for his teammates.
As the second half progressed, the Cadets began to build a cushion. Norwich pushed its advantage to double digits at 62-52 with 10:30 remaining, putting the pressure on the home side to respond. UNE, however, refused to go away. The Nor'easters chipped away at the deficit with a series of timely baskets, gradually bringing the contest back within reach.
The closing minutes turned into a back-and-forth battle, as UNE continued to find answers and eventually erased Norwich's lead. With just over three minutes remaining, the Nor'easters tied the game at 70-70, setting up a decisive final stretch of the contest.
The Cadets responded when it mattered most. Riley Severy (Barre, Vt.) came up with a crucial defensive play, recording a steal before converting a layup with 2:52 remaining to put Norwich back in front, 72-70. The momentum continued to swing in the Cadets' favor as Harrison followed with a strong finish inside at the 2:01 mark, converting the ensuing free throw to extend the lead to 75-70.
Norwich then leaned on its composure at the free-throw line to protect the advantage. Ricketts knocked down a pair of free throws with 1:08 remaining to make it a seven-point game, while Tyrell Green (North Providence, R.I.) and Comba added late free throws to keep the Nor'easters at bay. UNE continued to battle, cutting the deficit to three in the final minute, but the Cadets made enough plays at the line and on the defensive end to close out the six-point victory.
Harrison led Norwich with a dominant performance inside, finishing with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds to record a double-double. Comba paced the Cadets with 16 points, adding three steals, while Ricketts contributed 14 points and a team-high four assists. Green added 12 points and two assists, while Severy delivered an efficient performance off the bench, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double of his own. Sharif Sharif (Burlington, Vt.) chipped in seven points.
As a team, Norwich shot 46 percent from the field, including 38.1 percent from three-point range, and finished with a 42-31 advantage on the glass. The Cadets also recorded 16 assists and 35 points off the bench, showcasing the depth that helped them withstand UNE's second-half push.
The season-opening victory gives Norwich an early 1-0 record as the Cadets begin their 2026-27 campaign. With a balanced offensive effort, strong contributions on the glass and timely execution in the final minutes, Norwich opened the season by showing its ability to respond when challenged and finish a close game on the road.
The Cadets will be back in action on the road against Skidmore College on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
