Boston - Women's Basketball will be playing for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship on Sunday afternoon after a dominant second half propelled them to victory over Norwich. On a night where Emmanuel could not buy a basket, shooting only 33% from the field, it was their stifling defense, causing 30 turnovers that allowed them to punch their ticket to the GNAC finals.
 
The Norwich Cadets came out of the gate fast, netting the first five points of the match just a minute in. They remained in control a majority of the first frame, until Emmanuel was finally able to knot the score at 12 with just a minute remaining off a free throw from first year Kendyl Ouimette.
 
With one minute to go in the period, the Saints began to impose their will. A putback layup from Junior Kaitlyn Bartash gave the home team their first lead of the night, followed by a theft and fast break finish from Ouimette to bring the score to 16-12.
 
With 7:30 remaining in the second and Emmanuel holding onto a 21-18 advantage, the Saints defense began to clamp down. This led to a 10-4 run that gave the team some breathing room at 31-22.
 
Norwich was able to hang around, as a layup from Cassidy Kittredge, two of her 14 first half points, cut the lead to five at 33-28 with just over 1:30 remaining in the first half. One free throw was added from each side, resulting in a 34-29 Emmanuel lead at the break, despite shooting under 30% from the field.
 
With the second half underway, the defense picked up for both sides. The Saints did not pick up their first field goal of the half until 6:24 remaining in the third when Tyra Blye was able to finish a layup.
 
With 3:41 remaining, a three from Lia Krumian gave the team their first double digit lead of the game at 43-33. From there, the patented Emmanuel press began to stifle the Cadets. After another jumper from Blye to extend the lead to 13, Shea Canavan forced a quick turnover and then dumped it off to Geanna Bryant who finished the layup to put Emmanuel up 50-35. This forced a Norwich timeout as the crowd at Andy Yosinoff court was rocking.
 
That third quarter run proved to be the difference, as the Cadets only shot 30% from the field in the frame, to go along with nine turnovers.
 
In the fourth, another Kittredge layup cut the lead to 10 at 55-45, but that would be as close as the Cadets got the rest of the way. Emmanuel followed that up with another 12-2 run, causing a flurry of turnovers and slamming the door shut on this semifinals match. The lead grew to as much as 20 at 67-47 with just under four minutes to play. Norwich was able to grab a couple buckets down the stretch, making the final score 71-57, but it was the Saints lockdown defense in the second half that stole the show on Friday night.
 
Tyra Blye led the way, with 16 points to go along with six steals. Geanna Bryant added on six points to go along with nine rebounds and four assists. First year Shea Canavan added in three points, but her three steals and energy off the bench proved to be crucial.
 
Up Next
The Saints will return to Andy Yosinoff court Sunday at noon as they play host to Saint Joseph's Maine with the conference championship on the line. The program will be looking to secure its first NCAA tournament spot since 2022 with a win.