Saints Remain Unbeaten in GNAC Play With 68-51 Victory Over Norwich

BOSTON – Emmanuel College Women's Basketball (7-7, 4-0 GNAC) remained unbeaten in Great Northeast Athletic Conference competition with a 68-51 victory over the Norwich University Cadets (6-8, 0-4 GNAC) Saturday afternoon on Andy Yosinoff Court.

The visiting Cadets controlled the first quarter thanks to the hot-hand of leading-scorer Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.). Brewster found the bottom of the net three times from long range in the opening 10 minutes to help put the Cadets ahead 17-11 after the first frame.

First-year guard Meagan Schuermann (Cooperstown, N.Y.) took complete control of the second quarter with an offensive explosion. Schuermann accounted for 13 of the Saints 21 second quarter points on 4/7 shooting that included a pair of three-pointers. The Saints also ramped up their defensive intensity in the second quarter, forcing 10 Norwich turnovers. Schuermann's scoring and the Saints defensive effort gave the home team a 32-27 lead going into the break.

The Saints never looked back after taking advantage in the second quarter. The lead grew throughout the third quarter with seven different scorers contributing for Emmanuel. The Saints intense defensive effort continued with another seven forced turnovers over the 10 minutes. The quarter was capped off with an Olivia Matela (Swampscott, Mass.) buzzer-beating jump shot that extended the lead to 50-36 heading into the final quarter of play.

In the fourth quarter, the Saints continued to grow their lead. A Reganne French (Chicago, Ill.) three-pointer with just over five minutes remaining saw the lead jump to a game-high 28 as Norwich Head Coach Marc Zacher signaled for a timeout. Matela added another six points for the Saints throughout the period as Emmanuel closed out the game for a 68-51 victory.

Brewster led the Cadets with 17 points. Silas Bernier (Jaffrey, N.H.) added 16 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists. Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) contributed 10 points while leading the team in rebounding with nine.

The Saints were led by a second consecutive 20-point game from Schuermann. Matela added 17 points while junior guard Paris Atuahene (Phoenix, Ariz.) finished with 10 points and six assists. Senior forward Kiera Eubanks (Portland, Maine) posted a season-high 13 rebounds (6 offensive) to go along with her seven points.

Up next, Norwich University will make a visit to Regis College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference matchup on Tuesday (1/16) at 5 P.M. The Saints will travel to West Hartford, Conn. for a matchup with St. Joseph's (CT) in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest on Tuesday at 5 P.M.