The Mount Ida College men's basketball team fell to hosting Norwich University for the second time this season in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) falling 80-69 Saturday afternoon in Northfield, Vermont.  The Mustangs, who snap a two game winning streak in GNAC play, fall to an overall record of 6-12 dropping to 3-8 in the league. 

For the Mustangs, junior David Gibbs (East Hartford, CT/The Masters School/UMASS-Amherst) was a key offensive contributor, netting three 3-pointers and shooting 8-of-15 to collect 21 points. He also tallied two steals and two assists, while classmate Isiah Benjamin (Windsor, CT/East Hartford) had 18 points with one steal and one assist.

Norwich (9-7, 5-4 GNAC) was led by junior Antonio Davis with his double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds.  He was 9-of-15 in shooting, and made two blocks and one assist. Classmate Josh Cabrera had a standout performance against the Mustangs, shooting 7-of-11 and sinking three 3-pointers for his 18 points.  Senior Jaren Jeffcoat, combining his 16 points of the afternoon to his career record nabbing four steals and two assists in the action.

In the first half of action, it looked as if both teams had met their match, as the lead changed 11 times. Davis put the first points on the board for Norwich early in the game, but Benjamin sank a jump shot that tied it up, as his teammate Gibbs followed with a layup to put the Mustangs in the lead. No team led by more than five points, but the Mustangs held the 35-32 advantage at the half.

Coming in to the second half, Norwich was able to take back their home court advantage with free throw shots by Cabrera and senior Cori Boston, although the second half's momentum did not stick with either conference team for long, as the Cadets and the Mustangs alternated the lead on five occasions.

It was in the 9th minute of second-half action that Norwich began to pull away from their opponents. Cabrera hit a 3-pointer for the lead and the Cadets held on to their drive for the remainder of the game, finishing 21 points ahead of their conference-foe.

The Mustangs will travel to Johnson & Wales University this coming Tuesday for more GNAC action with tip-off slated for 7:00 p.m.