Women's Hoops Tops Norwich in GNAC Action, 71-46

THE BASICS
Score: Emmanuel 71, Norwich, 46
Records: Emmanuel College (12-5, 4-0 GNAC); Norwich University (4-11, 1-3 GNAC)
Location: Northfield, Vt.
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2020

THE LEAD: The Emmanuel College women's basketball team posted a 71-46 road victory over Norwich University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action Tuesday evening at Andrews Gym.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Norwich (4-11, 1-3 GNAC) was prepared for a frenetic-paced track meet featuring plenty of full-court pressure, but Emmanuel (12-5, 4-0 GNAC) executed that game plan to perfection. The Saints caused 33 turnovers from the Cadets which resulted in 38 points, several of which produced their 12 fast-break points. The visitors also crashed the offensive glass collecting 22 offensive boards.

In the first few minutes of the game, Norwich seemed to cope with the Saints' smothering defense keeping pace with the visitors up to the mid-way point of the first quarter. The Cadets held their own against the press and trailed by two at 10-8 at the 5:05 mark. Six of the hosts' first eight points were scored by Sandra Carlsten (Bandhagen, Sweden).

However, from that point on the Saints crept away thanks to a 9-2 run to end the quarter to build up a 19-10 lead.

The high-paced, end-to-end action favored Emmanuel in the second quarter as they forced 13 Cadet turnovers in the period and outscored the Cadets 20-9 to establish a 39-19 cushion heading into halftime.

The halftime adjustments for the Cadets resulted in a concentrated effort to get the ball into the post to get some easier looks and force the issue with the Saints' post players. The strategy worked as Norwich enjoyed its best production of the game in the third quarter. The team shot 45.5 percent and continued to put itself on the free-throw line where it converted at an elite level.

Kailynne Frederick (Adams, Mass.) was a big beneficiary of the change as the junior racked up 9 of her team-high 17 points in the third period. Unfortunately, the Saints' defensive pressure continued to cause too many miscues which did not allow the Cadets to cut into the deficit.

The visitors rode their early lead down to the wire cruising to the victory.

Norwich for the game shot 31.1 percent including a scintillating 18-for-20 (90 %) from the charity stripe.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• EC senior Yuleska Ramirez-Tejeda (Cambridge, Mass.) led all scorers with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
• First year shooting guard Caitlin Barker (Plainville, Conn.) added 12 points on four three pointers.
• Junior Jamad Fiin (Boston, Mass.) chipped in with 10 points off the bench.

UP NEXT
The Saints are off until Saturday, January 25 when they head to Weston, Mass. to take on Regis College at 2:00 PM.