BOSTON, Mass. – The women's basketball team earned their first victory of the season in a competitive 61-59 battle with the Wentworth Leopards in Tansey Gym on Saturday afternoon.

Senior Karissa Doyon scored 19 points in the game to earn the first Norwich win of the season, with help from sophomore Jessalyn Sweeney who tallied 18 points in the game. Doyon was 7-of-8 in free throws and 5-of-15 for shooting, contributing seven rebounds and three steals. Sweeney was 6-of-15 in shooting for the night, sinking two 3-pointers and going 4-of-5 from the line.

Senior captain Christine Daniels cleaned up the boards with 12 rebounds, while shooting perfect from the free-throw line and earning three assists to give her 10 points on the Leopards.

The Cadets trailed 35-27 at the half, but determination and hard work proved to be their strong suit, as Norwich outshot the Leopards 34-24 in the second frame, earning them the two-point difference that was needed to win the game.

Norwich was facing a 43-29 deficit early in the second half, but immediately set about closing the gap by holding Wentworth scoreless for over four minutes as they brought the game to within two points.  The Leopards held on to their lead for another two minutes until the Cadets pulled ahead by a point at 8:49 when Sweeney sunk a three pointer, assisted by Doyon.

For the next three minutes of action, Sweeney was steadfast and ready to regain the advantage for the Cadets each time Wentworth managed to pull ahead, as both teams worked to break free from a score that was never more than a five point spread.

Doyon was fouled and sent to the line with a minute on the clock, as the Cadets were looking at a two-point deficit. Sinking both shots, the game was tied at 59-all until Doyon, with five seconds remaining in the game, made good on a jumper that gave the Cadets their well-earned victory over Wentworth.

Norwich's game against the College of Saint Joseph, originally scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. has been postponed until later notice. The Cadets (1-2) will hold their next competition on Tuesday at Middlebury College. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.