NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's basketball team held the reigning Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) champions to their lowest scoring output in conference play, falling short of upending Saint Joseph's College of Maine, 58-49, in Andrews Hall on Tuesday night.

A trio of Cadets logged double-digits, as Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) posted yet another double-double on 15 points and 13 caroms.  Sage MacAuley (Barre, Vt.) tallied 13 points while bringing down nine boards, while Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.) finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Norwich struck early and fast, taking a swift 6-1 advantage on baskets from Erika Thomas (Burlington, N.C.) and McGinn, before the Monks responded.  Both teams traded leads, as the Cadets again built another five-point lead, which gradually extended to seven late in the second quarter.

Saint Joseph's rallied to retake the lead at halftime, but the Cadets did not go quietly.  An early rally in the third quarter brought Norwich within two on opportunities from Thomas and Eleonore Collins (Waterville, N.Y.), but the Monks again extended their lead, this time to double-digit territory to end the third.

The Cadets stayed within striking distance throughout the fourth, whittling the Monk lead down to seven on a pair of occasions, but Saint Joseph's avoided suffering their first loss in GNAC action en route to the nine-point win.

Norwich rolled inside, outscoring the Monks, 28-20, in points in the paint.  The Cadets shot 41.3% from the floor, while holding the Saint Joseph's offense to a woeful 30.8% mark.

The Monks' 58-point output is the lowest a GNAC foe has held them since Emmanuel College held Saint Joseph's to 53 points on Jan. 8, 2022.

The Cadets will close the season at GNAC newcomer Mitchell College on Saturday, Feb. 17, with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in New London, Conn.