NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Hannah Stitely (Westminster, Md.) was just high of her career-high 14 points scoring 13 points, as the Norwich University women's basketball team used a third quarter offensive explosion to down Anna Maria, 52-37, Wednesday night in Andrews Hall.

Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.) led the Cadets with 15 points, knocking down three shots from long range. Stitely had a big day on the glass as she led the team with nine boards, one ahead of teammate Rachel Botala (Grand Isle, Vt.) who pulled in eight.

After Megan Burdett opened the scoring for the AMCATS, Stitely got the Cadets on the board early with three-point jumper that gave Norwich the lead. Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) would then come down a few possessions later, converting a layup give the Cadets an early edge. The Cadets fought hard in the first, using it to jump out to a 13-6 advantage.

In the second half, Norwich was only able to convert on 20 percent of their shots from the field, while the AMCATS were able to outscore them 16-7 in the second frame as they took the lead by two at the half.

Norwich did not take long to retake the lead in the second half, as Brittany Graham (Rye, N.H.) and Silas Bernier (Jaffrey, N.H.) scored on back to back possessions to retake the advantage. With the score tied at 24-24 the Cadets scored six straight points before the AMCATS cut the lead down to two.

The Cadets response was to spark a 10-0 run that ran 2:36 seconds, giving Norwich a 42-30 lead heading into the final frame. Norwich shot 69.2 percent from the field in the third quarter.

The Cadets were able to edge out the AMCATS 10-7 in the final quarter never letting them come within 10 points as they closed out the contest.

Norwich (6-7, 4-2 GNAC) will visit Rivier on Saturday, Jan. 29 for a 3 pm. contest with the Raiders. They will then play Elms on Tuesday, Feb. 1 in a 7:30 pm. matchup with the Blazers.