NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) of the Norwich University women's basketball team cemented her place in history on Tuesday afternoon, racking up 20 points, including her 1,000th-career point, in a 74-65 loss to Anna Maria College in Norwich's Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener inside Andrews Gymnasium.

McGinn becomes the 20th women's basketball player in program history to join the renowned club, and the first since classmate Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.) crossed 1,000 points on Nov. 28, 2023.  McGinn and Brewster led the Cadets offensively, as the former shot 8-14 from the floor en route to her 20-point showcase, while Brewster knocked down three treys to finish with 13 points.  Kiley O'Brien (Kingston, Mass.) and Sage MacAuley (Barre, Vt.) combined for 7-12 clips from the floor and a perfect 8-8 mark from the foul line to add 11 points apiece.

The AMCATS struck first off the opening tip, taking an early 3-0 lead on a Marinique Reddin three-pointer and, ultimately, never looked back.  The Cadets fought to keep close, as McGinn initiated her afternoon with Norwich's prompt answer on a layup, courtesy of a Brewster helper.  After Erika Thomas (Burlington, N.C.) kept the Cadets within two a minute later, the Anna Maria offense went to work, capitalizing on a barrage of long-range shots to claim a double-digit lead.

Lily Briggs (Fair Haven, Vt.) found McGinn for a three-pointer in the final minutes of the first quarter, granting the Cadets some momentum as McGinn also scored the first basket of the second frame, trimming Anna Maria's lead down to seven.  It was not to be, however, as the AMCATS again seized opportunities from outside, ballooning their lead into a game-high 20 points at 39-19.

Norwich prevented Anna Maria from extending its lead any further, instead gradually fighting throughout the third stanza to remain within striking distance.  Despite the AMCATS maintaining an 18-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes, the Cadets overcame the hump, surging on a 20-6 run to bring Anna Maria's advantage all the way down to four.

Spurred by a pair of freebies by McGinn and an outside shot by Briggs, the Cadet run included McGinn's 1,000th-career point at the 8:10 mark.  Thomas found McGinn open on a pick-and-roll, who proceeded to drive through the open lane and lay the ball up and off the glass to place her name in the record books.

After MacAuley closed the run with four-straight points, back-to-back baskets by the AMCATS pushed the visitors ahead by nine, but the Cadets promptly answered, this time bringing themselves within a single possession on a Brewster jumper.  It proved to be the closest the hosts could get, as Anna Maria's defense held firm for the final minute and a half to spoil Norwich's GNAC opener.

"Reaching 1,000 points is more than just a milestone--it's the culmination of countless hours of hard work, sacrifices, and the relentless pursuit of improvement," said McGinn.  "It's a testament to the grind, the team, and the belief that every shot, every game, is part of something greater.  I would like to thank my family, my teammates, and my coaches, for always believing in me and for making this day so special for me.  I truly could not do it without each and every one of them."

The loss marks the end of Norwich's historic unbeaten streak against the AMCATS within the friendly confines of Andrews Hall.  The Cadets were 10-0 all-time against Anna Maria at home, dating back to the 2010-11 Ed Hockenbury Classic Championship game on Dec. 4, 2010, when Norwich topped the AMCATS, 72-53.

In addition to McGinn's historic accomplishment, Brewster also continued her ascent in Norwich's history, surpassing Heather LeBlanc '17 (1,463) and placing herself third on the all-time scoring list with 1,466 points, trailing Aliah Curry '15 (2,267) and Lisa Trujillo '94 (1,561).

The Cadets will step out of GNAC action for a non-conference battle, taking on Nichols College for the first time since 2013 on Thursday, Jan. 9, in a 5:00 p.m. clash in Andrews Gym.  Norwich then returns to GNAC play, traveling to the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) on Saturday, Jan. 11, for a 1:00 p.m. game.