NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Norwich University women's basketball team clawed back from an early deficit to secure its second-straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory, topping Mitchell College, 70-55, at the Yarnall Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon.

Three Cadets tallied double figures, led by Maggi Ellsworth (West Topsham, Vt.), who posted 17 points on 8-14 shooting, while also dishing out five assists and collecting four steals.  Gracie Laster (Arlington, Va.) chipped in 14 points in 19 minutes off the bench, and Kiley O'Brien (Kingston, Mass.) added 13 points in just 16 minutes of action.

An 80-second stalemate to open the contest was broken by an O'Brien layup off an Ellsworth assist, quickly answered by the Mariners as the two teams traded early baskets en route to a 7-7 tie.  Mitchell caught fire behind several long-range makes and timely scores, closing the quarter on a 19-13 edge to take early control.

Norwich wasted no time erasing the lead in the second frame, opening with layups by Jessica Zimmerman (Turner, Maine), Cassidy Kittredge (Waterford, Vt.), and Ellsworth.  After a Mitchell triple, Mackenzie Griner (Bristol, Vt.) responded to even the score again, setting the stage for a back-and-forth stretch.  Ellsworth then sparked a 13-2 Cadet run, capped by a Mallorie Chalmers (Milton, Vt.) bucket in the waning seconds of the half to send Norwich into the break with a 10-point lead.

From there, the Cadets never looked back. Norwich held Mitchell to just four points in a dominant third quarter while building a 24-point cushion.  The Mariners pushed back in the fourth, trimming the deficit to 13, but clutch scores from Laster, Ellsworth, and Jade Garceau (Fairfield, Vt.) ensured the lead held firm.

The Cadets overpowered the Mariners in the paint, outscoring them 46-6, while dominating in bench points (32-4) and converting 27 Mitchell turnovers into 23 points.  Norwich also held slight edges in second chance points (13-9) and fast break points (16-10), while finishing with a 38.7% shooting clip and converting 88.9% of free throws.  The defense held Mitchell to just 29.1% from the floor.

Now 2-0 in February, Norwich will continue its GNAC road swing on Wednesday, Feb. 11, with a 5:00 p.m. rematch at New England College in Henniker, N.H.  The Cadets then return home on Saturday, Feb. 14, for a pivotal matchup against reigning GNAC champion University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) inside Andrews Hall.