BARRE, Vt. - The Northern Vermont University-Johnson women's basketball team fell by a score of 68-51 to Norwich University at the Barre Auditorium on Friday night. The Cadets closed the final six minutes of the game with a 14-4 run to seal their first win of the season over the Badgers in the non-conference matchup that featured 18 lead changes and eight ties.
The Badgers emerged from the first quarter with a 15-12 lead after capitalizing on free throws and efficient shooting early by Ellery Kiefer and Tillotson. Norwich nailed a three-point shot early in the second quarter but the Badgers answered with a made three and jump shot to extend the lead to 20-15. Closing the second quarter with a 12-5 run, the Cadets took a 32-25 lead at the break.
After a slow start offensively for both teams, LaPerle drained a three to bring the deficit back to seven points. A three pointer by Kiana Johnson off a Norwich turnover to cut the deficit to two points and give the Badgers a spark. Johnson went 3-4 from the line over the next two minutes to shrink the Cadets' lead to 39-38 with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter. The Cadets outscored the Badgers 23-12 in the fourth stanza, receiving a game high 23 points from Riley Bennett as she went 5-9 from behind the arc. Julia Vigorito earned a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds, going 8-8 from the charity stripe in the effort.
Freshman Kiana Johnson led the Badgers with a team high 12 points. Lindsey LaPerle collected 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals and freshman Halie Tillotson added 10 points and five rebounds.
The Badgers converted 23 points off turnovers and collected 12 second chance points. The Cadets commit 23 turnovers while Johnson tallied 16 in the loss. Norwich out-rebounded the Badgers 45 to 37 as they improve to 1-3 on the season. With the loss the Badgers fall to 0-5 and will face Castleton University on Saturday at 4:00pm on day two of the Granite City Shootout hosted at the Barre Auditorium.