NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's basketball team advanced to the championship game of the 2024 Ed Hockenbury Classic, overcoming a halftime deficit to take down Wellesley College, 59-45, in the opening round of the multi-team event on Friday evening in Andrews Gym.

Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) was a force to be reckoned with, posting a strong 21-point, 13-rebound double-double to lead all players in both categories.  Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.) joined McGinn in double-figures, knocking down a pair of treys to finish with 11 points.

Both teams struggled initially to find their offensive footing, as defensive pressure intensified quickly out of the gates.  The quarter's biggest lead came on a three-point edge for the Blue late in the frame, before Norwich whittled it down to two in the waning seconds.

Wellesley controlled the tone early in the second quarter, breaking open a 13-all tie on an 8-0 spurt as the Blue claimed their largest advantage of the night at eight.  The Cadets quickly gained momentum, courtesy of back-to-back baskets from McGinn and Jessica Zimmerman (Turner, Maine) in a 23-second span to bring it within three.  Mallorie Chalmers (Milton, Vt.) netted the final point of the half on a freebie, as the Blue took a 27-23 lead into the break.

The Blue again pushed their lead to eight in the third quarter, but another Norwich run, this time a 9-0 spurt, gave the Cadets their first advantage of the stanza.  Two free throws by Wellesley's Arla Hofer pushed the visitors ahead, but a layup from McGinn in the closing seconds handed the hosts the edge heading into the final 10 minutes.

That momentum was all the Cadets needed, as they never relinquished the lead to Wellesley again.  Norwich's defense, in particular, was on full display, holding the Blue scoreless for over five minutes en route to building a double-digit lead before sealing the deal on nine free-throws to close the contest.

Mirella Funari led Wellesley offensively with 15 points, while Trinity Barrow tallied 10 points.

The Cadets held slim advantages in bench points (12-10), points in the paint (20-18), and fast break points (8-7), while holding the Blue to just 25.4% shooting for the game and a 17.9% clip from beyond the arc.

Norwich will revive a historic intrastate rivalry in the title game, battling Middlebury College tomorrow afternoon for the Hockenbury Classic Championship.  The Panthers advanced after an offensive clash with Keene State College led to a 74-59 victory for Middlebury.

Middlebury's Alexa Mustafaj flirted with a triple-double against the Owls, racking up 26 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.  Three Owls logged double-digits, with Brynn Rautiola, Valerie Luizzi, and Ruby Dasaro contributing 18, 11, and 10 points, respectively.

Before Norwich and Middlebury fight in the Hockenbury Classic Championship at 2:30 p.m. in Andrews Gym, Keene State and Wellesley will meet in the Hockenbury Classic Consolation Game at 12:30 p.m.  Following Norwich and Middlebury's bout, Norwich University will honor and celebrate the history of its basketball programs with a 1,000-point ceremony and banner unveiling at 4:30 p.m.