Basketball Wins Thriller at Norwich, 72-70

NORTHFIELD, Verm. – The University of Saint Joseph basketball team edged the Cadets of Norwich University 72-70 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action Wednesday evening at Andrews Hall. 

Saint Joseph improved to 10-5 overall and 3-2 in the GNAC; Norwich is 8-12 overall and 2-5 in conference play.

The Blue Jays received a double-double from Claire Consonni (Bristol, Conn.) who had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Heather Framski (Prospect, Conn.) contributed a team-high 15 points, while Devon Diliberto (Waterbury, Conn.) scored 12 and Brianna Ferarro (Waterbury, Conn.) scored 11 in her first game back after missing the past two with an injury. Norwich's Aliah Curry (Windsor, Verm.) led all scorers with 25 points.

In a game that saw 14 lead changes and eight ties, the Blue Jays would find themselves in possession of the lead in the final minutes of the game after the score was knotted for the final time at 65-65 with 2:32 to play. A layup from Ferraro and two free throws from Lindsay Feducia (Beacon Falls, Conn.) gave the Blue Jays a four-point lead, but Norwich's Kristin Brown connected on a three-point basket with 53 seconds left to bring the Cadets within 69-68.

The Cadets were forced to foul and Feducia made two more free throws with 19 seconds left. Norwich's Kristine Brammer (Littleton, N.H.) had a putback with 4 ticks left to make it 71-70 and again the Cadets fouled. Diliberto then made one free throw (a second one was nullified on a lane violation) and Norwich was unable to get off a final shot.

Saint Joseph, which needed every point, shot 23-for-25 at the free throw line while Norwich went 12-for-14.

The Blue Jays host St. Joseph's (Maine), Saturday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m.