HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's basketball team lost 68-62 against visiting Norwich University on Wednesday evening at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.

THE BASICS
Score:                    Norwich 68, New England College 62
Records:               Pilgrims 4-18, 1-10 GNAC | Cadets 15-7, 7-4 GNAC

TURNING POINTS

• The Cadets jumped out to an early lead behind some hot-shooting, as Norwich took a 24-11 advantage off a three-point play by junior forward Owen Liss (West Suffield, Conn.) with 9:56 to go in the half. The Pilgrims would rally with an incredible 19-1 run playing some of their best basketball of the season, a stretch capped off by a three-pointer from NEC junior center Justin Dunne (Derry, N.H.) with 2:55 remaining in the first saw the hosts tear into the lead. A steal and a quick dish by NEC graduate guard Jayden McGrew (Garland, Tex.) to sophomore guard Junior Efosa (Haverhill, Mass.) for a fast-break dunk as the clock hit zero saw the Bridges Gymnasium explode in cheers as the 'Grims went into halftime leading 36-27, having closed out the half by scoring 25 of the final 28 points.
• In the second half, the Pilgrims went up by as much as 14 points when NEC junior guard Alex Williams (Miramar, Fla.) buried a three-pointer just 5:45 in. The Cadets pulled to within eight when Norwich sophomore guard Omarion Jett (Montclair, N.J.) pulled down an offensive rebound and finished the put-back layup with 8:43 remaining in the game. The 12-2 run by the Cadets saw the lead drop to three with a layup from Liss with 5:25 to go as the Pilgrims went six minutes without making a field goal. Norwich finally retook the lead with 2:40 remaining when sophomore forward Joe Joe DuBrul (Shelburne, Vt.) hit a three-pointer to put them up 60-58.
• With 1:12 left and the 'Grims down by three, an intentional foul against the Cadets on a fast break gave new life to NEC. Efosa made one-of-two at the line as the hosts retained possession. But a travel call went against the Pilgrims, and on the next possession, DeBrul made a layup to put Norwich up by four. With 24.2 left, Norwich senior guard Jalen Olivero (Holyoke, Mass.) buried two free throws to make it 66-62, and NEC would not threaten again.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Efosa led NEC with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in perhaps his best all-around performance to date.
• Jett led Norwich with 19 points and five rebounds.
• McGrew finished with 12 points while pulling down seven boards and tallying five assists.
• DeBrul posted a double-double with ten points and eleven rebounds.
• Dunne, a junior-transfer, exploded off the bench for NEC-bests of ten points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes on the court.  

UP NEXT

• Up next for NEC, the team prepares for their final home game of the season on Saturday when they play host to the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University in a 3:30 p.m. game. The Pilgrims will hold their Senior Day ceremony prior to the game.
• Norwich hosts Lasell University on Saturday in their next contest that tipping off at 3:00 p.m.

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.