With the win, York advances to the championship game of the Cardinal Classic and will take on either The Sage College or host Plattsburgh State. Tip-off for that game will be at 4:00 p.m.
The Cardinals had a solid all-around game, shooting close to 40 percent on the evening, while holding the edge in both rebounds and turnovers. In addition to the production from Vails and Rodriguez, York also got a nice effort from senior Shamir Wilkinson, who netted nine points. DaShawn Bobbitt chipped in six points and six boards and sophomore point guard Du'Quan Lawson finished with six points, six boards and four assists.
York could not have asked for a better start to the season. The Cardinals opened the game with a 9-0 run and held Norwich scoreless until the 11:57 mark of the first half. Vails propelled York during the stretch, netting four points.
Norwich would eventually shake off the rust and close to within 12-9, following a lay-up by Jimmy Warden with 10:06 to play in the half. The Cardinals looked to have regained some momentum after a Lawson three-pointer put York up by ten, 24-14, with 6:10 to play before halftime but Norwich would close the half strong and trailed by just one point after Evan Tullar drained a three just before halftime to make the score 30-29 at the midway point.
The Cardinals would never relinquish the lead though, as they regained a comfortable advantage shortly after the break. With York still holding on to a one-point lead a couple minutes into the second half, made lay-ups by Vails on consecutive possessions and then a steal by Bobbitt and subsequent bucket made by Rodriguez put York up by seven with 16:12 to play. York would eventually extend its lead to 14 points—it largest of the game— at the 12:41 mark and cruised the rest of the way.
Tullar led Norwich with 22 points to go along with six boards in a losing effort. Warden added 14 points and five boards. Norwich will play in the consolation game at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Should Plattsburgh advance to tomorrow's championship game, both live stats and video of the game will be available. Live stats and video will not be available if York were to face Sage.