Cadets come back in final minutes to subdue Seahawks

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - Norwich women's basketball picked up their first victory of the 2018-19 season on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Seahawks of Salve Regina University on day two of the Tyler Tip-Off Tournament at Smith College by a 62-59 final score. 

Salve Regina opened up the game in a rhythm, utilizing a 9-0 run to jump out to an 11-4 lead early. Norwich found their shooting stroke in the second quarter, however, shooting 46.7% from the field as a team in the second quarter. Senior Emily Oliver (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) went a perfect 3-3 from three-point land on her way to 11 points in the quarter, and Norwich entered the locker room at halftime up 31-27.

The game remained tight through the third quarter, as the Seahawks outscored the Cadets 14-12 in the quarter to narrow the Norwich lead to two points.

In the fourth, Mary Rorke (Norton, Mass.) hit 3-pointers on consecutive trips down the court to give the Seahawks a four-point lead, 47-43. A Rorke steal led to a layup for Torie Scorpio (Cranston, R.I.) and a five-point lead, 53-48 at 6:17. Mikayla Roderick (New Bedford, Mass.) hit a jumper at 2:51 for the last Seahawk lead, 55-53. The fourth quarter went back and forth, as the score was tied with just two and a half minutes to go. Mary Casamassa (Wexford, Pa.) hit a layup and Emily Oliver combined with Naomi Rinaldo (Middlefield, Conn.) to go 5-8 from the free throw line down the stretch to seal up the 62-59 victory.

Emily Oliver led the way with 21 points on 6-9 shooting from three-point territory, along with five rebounds, and was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts this weekend. Vanessa Fleury (Lebanon, N.H.) put up an 11 point, 11 rebound double-double, and Mary Casamassa  collected 15 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. For Salve Regina, Rorke finished with nine points in 40 minutes and All-Tournament Team honors. Senior Tara Burke (Londonderry, N.H.) contributed 15 points in the loss.