NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's basketball team proved victorious in a non-conference battle on Saturday afternoon, topping Plymouth State University, 56-47, in the Cadets' home opener in Andrews Gym.

Norwich's success was made possible by the efforts of three double-digit scorers, with Kiley O'Brien (Kingston, Mass.) piloting the way on a career-high 17 points on a 6-8 clip from the floor and 5-5 mark from the charity stripe.  Maren McGinn (Goergia, Vt.) went 6-9 on field goals to tally 13 points, while Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.) knocked down three treys en route to 12 points.

Both teams struggled to find their offensive footing early, as the Cadets took an early 4-0 lead on back-to-back McGinn layups before the Panthers got on the board nearly four minutes into the contest.  Norwich stayed ahead by slim margins, taking a five-point lead into the second quarter before breaking into a double-digit lead on a 5-0 run out of the short break.

A pair of baskets from Brewster and Shenale Hadunnetthi Rannuluge (Flushing, N.Y.) granted the Cadets their largest lead of the half at 13, but the Panthers remained close, whittling the lead back down to single-digits.  The Cadets promptly responded before halftime, pushing it back to 13 at one point on two Sage MacAuley (Barre, Vt.) freebies.

Plymouth State rallied with new life in the second half, this time bringing Norwich's advantage down to six late in the third quarter, but four-straight free-throws from O'Brien and Brewster gave the Cadets some breathing room.  Despite consistent challenges by the Panthers throughout the final 10 minutes, Norwich continuously had answers, icing the contest with six makes at the charity stripe in the closing two minutes.

Norwich feasted on 30 Plymouth State turnovers, outscoring the Panthers, 22-8, on points off miscues.  The Cadets also maintained edges in fast break points (15-8) and points in the paint (20-16).

The Cadet defense was stifling, holding Plymouth State to a 24.5% mark from the floor and a woeful 12.0% clip from beyond the arc.

The win marks the fourth-in-a-row for Norwich, dating back to Nov. 15's victory at the University of Maine-Farmington.  The Cadets will head into Thanksgiving break sporting a 4-1 record, and will return to action on Monday, Dec. 2, with a 7:00 p.m. clash at Babson College.  Norwich then returns home for the 28th annual Hockenbury Classic at Andrews Gym from Dec. 6-7, hosting Wellesley College, Keene State College, and Middlebury College over the two-day event.