NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Johnson State College men's basketball stormed to a 12-2 lead early and led by as many 16 points in the first half but saw host Norwich University rally for a 71-65 non-conference victory on Sunday. Johnson is now 1-3 overall while Norwich picks up their first win of the young season to stand at 1-2.
Sophomore guard Asim Khan (Torrance, Calif./Torrance) led Johnson with 16 points behind a 10-10 free throw shooting effort and added nine rebounds and junior forward Bryan Hickey (Barre, Vt./Spaulding) recorded his third consecutive double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Junior guard Josh Reed (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) canned 3-of-4 3-point field goals for a nine point night.
Norwich junior guard Tom McDonald scored a game-high 27 points to go with nine rebounds and senior guard Josh Cabrera scored all 15 of his points in the second half including going 4-for-4 from 3-point land.
The Badgers were outstanding early taking the 12-2 lead behind an energetic defense that collected four steals and a 4-5 shooting effort including 3-point field goals from Hickey and senior forward Cody Camisa (Colchester, Vt./Colchester) (pictured).
Johnson's lead would swell to 16 with 3:46 left to play following a baseline jumper from Hickey making the score 32-16. But Norwich closed the half on a crucial 13-6 run and cutting the lead to single digits with score at 38-27 going into the locker room.
The hosts would continue to chip away through the early second half and tie the game at 49-49 following a pair of McDonald free throws with 11:17 remaining on the clock.
Cabrera would shake loose and knock down three of his 3-pointers in the next three and half minutes to help Norwich grab a 10-point lead at 62-52 with 7:57 left to play.
But JSC would respond with a 9-0 run behind a pair of Reed 3-pointers to cut the lead to one at 62-61 and 3:22 to go.
A McDonald 3-pointer followed by a pair of Khan free throws had the score at 65-63. With the shot-clock about to expire Cabrera rose up on the left wing and banked home a 3-point field goal with :55 remaining and giving the Cadets the crucial five-point lead. Johnson was not able to get any closer in the final seconds.
Norwich's 7-15 (47%) 3-point shooting effort proved vital as well as holding Johnson to 31% shooting for the day. Johnson earned a slim 48-47 rebounding advantage and committed just 10 turnovers on the day to go with their eight steals, all of which came in the first half.
Johnson moves on to face Vermont Technical College at home on Tuesday at 7:30 pm while Norwich will host Colby-Sawyer College on Tuesday at the same time.