WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Norwich Defeats Suffolk To Advance To GNAC Title Game
BOSTON - Freshman Natalie Marchese was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor, 2-for-2 from three-point range, and 5-for-5 from the free throw line in leading the Norwich women's basketball team to a 56-46 win over Suffolk in the GNAC semifinals.
The Cadets (24-2) trailed 27-24 at halftime, but outscored Suffolk (18-9) 32-19 in the second half en route to its sixth straight victory.
NU opened the game on a 13-5 run before the Rams clamped down on defense with double-team coverage that resulted in 15 Norwich turnovers in the first half. Suffolk built a five-point first half lead before leading by three at the break.
The score remained close through the first 12 minutes of the second half and the game was tied at 40 apiece with eight minutes remaining. That's when the Cadets seized control with a 16-6 run to close out the game, holding the Rams to three field goals. Norwich also won the rebounding battle, 34-24.
Sarah Chap also finished in double figures for Norwich with 11 points. Megan Tracey and Sarah Gregory led the Rams with 10 points apiece.
Norwich will take on top-seed Emmanuel in the GNAC championship game at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Saints crushed Western New England in the first semifinal game, 71-42. Norwich upset Emmanuel in last year's GNAC championship game, 44-35.