PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Continuing a theme of playing close-knit games, Norwich University took Johnson and Wales to the wire in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action play Feb. 4.
The Cadets, competing in a game that was decided by eight-points-or-less for the eighth time this year, dropped a hard-fought 75-69 decision to the host Wildcats. The defeat left them a game behind a three-way tie for sixth on the GNAC standings with three games to play in the regular season.
Johnson and Wales (9-13 overall, 5-5 GNAC) scored the first four points of the game and continued to build as large as a 12-point advantage into the second half. However, NU (9-13, 4-6 GNAC), trailing 54-42 with 10:22 left took off on an 18-5 run over the next nine-plus minutes to take its first and only lead at 60-59 with 1:59 left. The final moments were frenetic, as JWU reversed the deficit and led 63-60 and saw the Cadets come right back and tie the game at 64-64 with regulation ending on a pair of free throws from freshman guard Aliah Curry (Windsor, Mass.) off of a rebound from a missed three-pointer from fellow freshman guard Kelsey Lotti (South Yarmouth, Mass.).
In the extra session, the Wildcats bolted out to a 72-66 lead on an 8-2 run, but Norwich cut it to 72-69 on a three-pointer from Curry. Coach Mark Zacher's team couldn't get any closer over the final 1:14.
Curry topped the Cadets in scoring for the 12th time in the last 13 games. She increased her double-figure scoring streak to 17 with 27 points on a nine-of-18 effort from outside the arc and a sparkling six-of-12 effort from outside the arc. She wasn't the only Maroon and Gold player with an impressive stat line. Senior forward Jocelyn Fasulo (Contoocook, N.H.) blocked six JWU shot attempts and grabbed nine rebounds, while junior forward Jessalynn Sweeney (Standfordville, N.Y.) turned in a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds to go along with a team-high two steals. Senior center Tara Stevenson (Watertown, Conn.) also contributed 13 points.
Norwich begins the final week of the 2011-12 regular season with a home tilt against Simmons College of Massachusetts Tuesday, Feb. 7. Tip-off inside Andrews Gymnasium is set for 5:30 p.m. Fans, friends and alumni of the Cadets can follow live stats at www.norwichathletics.com, the Internet home of Norwich University athletics.