NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Despite holding onto a lead after the opening quarter, the Norwich University women’s basketball team suffered a 66-51 loss to undefeated Albertus Magnus College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action at Andrews Hall on Saturday afternoon.

Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) posted a strong 12-point, 15-rebound double-double to lead the losing effort, while Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.) also tallied 12 points. Rachel Botala (Grand Isle, Vt.) logged 11 points on a 50.0% shooting clip.

The Cadets tipped off the contest on back-to-back shots from McGinn and Brewster, giving Norwich early confidence that kept them afloat as the Falcons begun putting points on the board.  An and-one opportunity from Caitlyn Scott pushed Albertus Magnus ahead, 9-8, before Norwich embarked on an 8-2 run to take its largest lead of five.  A Scott trey at the buzzer, however, would send the Falcons into the brief break with some newfound offensive flow.

Back-and-forth baskets between Scott and Jessie Zimmerman (Turner, Maine) would give Norwich a one-point edge, until a long-range bomb from Diamond White catapulted the Falcons in front for a lead they would never relinquish.  Albertus Magnus took advantage of the Cadets’ foul trouble, as Brewster was plagued by four fouls while Botala had three by halftime.  The Falcons’ lead would balloon to 11 at the break.

Despite Albertus Magnus’ best efforts to pull away, the Cadets prevented the deficit from getting out of hand, trimming it down to seven, 42-35, after a three-pointer from Brittany Graham (Rye, N.H.).  The Cadets would lose steam after that, however, as the Falcons capitalized on a slew of turnovers for the closing quarter.  Albertus Magnus finished with a 36-2 advantage in points off turnovers, en route to the 66-51 win.

Scott led the way for the Falcons behind 22 points.  Jakara Murray-Leach trailed with 19 points, while White finished with 15 points.

The Cadets will now head into the holiday break, and will not return to action until Jan. 3, 2023, when they hit the road for the first of two away tilts.  Coming up first on that Tuesday is a 5:00 p.m. tilt at Dean College, followed by a 4:00 p.m. showdown at Elms College on Jan. 5.