Tuesday, February 5, 2013 (Northfield, Vermont) - Mount Ida College men's basketball freshman forward Cam Walker (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford) notched a team-high 16 points and nine caroms falling to host Norwich University Tuesday evening in Northfield, Vermont by a score of 78-74 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) competition dropping their second match-up against the Cadets this year. The Mustangs finish up the season series with the hosts at 0-2 falling to an overall record 7-17, 3-13 in league play while Norwich improves to 6-16 for 2012/2013 teetering on a post-season play-off berth (3-12).
The Mustangs also had four players score in double-figures, led by Cam Walker. Sophomre guard and transfer Aaron Kelly (Norwalk, CT/Norwalk) and junior forward/center Kenny Jean (Dorchester, MA/Brighton) contributed 14 points apiece, while freshman forward John Fortes (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford) rounded out the Mustangs' scoring leaders with 12 points.
Freshman Gary Gladden (Boynton Beach, FL) led the Cadets with a game-high 23 points, 15 of which he scored in the second half. Sophomore Evan Tullar (Chelsea, VT) scored 18 points along with an assist, a block and three steals. Senior Josh Cabrera (Providence, RI) chipped in with 14 points and a team-high four assists, while Tom McDonald (Groton, MA) aided Norwich with 10 points off the bench.
Norwich opened the second half with a 22-7 run to overcome a 13-point halftime deficit to take the lead at 54-52 at the 11:56 mark. The Cadets extended their lead to four points on a jumper by Gladden on the next possession, but the Mustangs chipped away at the deficit and reclaimed the lead at 59-57 with 9:07 to play.
That basket would mark the last time Norwich trailed on the evening, as a three-point basket by McDonald and a pair of free-throws by Gladden turned the lead back to Norwich. The Cadets did not lead by more than four points for the final 8:51 of the game, and the Mustangs managed to tie the score twice at the 4:09 and 3:04 marks.
The Mustangs had one final opportunity to take the lead in the final seconds of the game as a turnover in the paint by Cabrera allowed Mount Ida's Jeff McNair (Brockton, MA/Brockton) to score a fast-break layup to bring the Mustangs within two points at 76-72 with 38 seconds to play. Gladden and Mount Ida's Treace Macklin (Brockton, MA/Brockton) traded baskets to bring the score to 76-74 with nine seconds on the clock, but the Mustangs were forced to foul to gain possession.
Mount Ida sent Tullar to the line, where he drained both free-throws to make it a two-possession game. The Mustangs were able to get a shot off with two seconds to play, but it did not fall, giving Norwich the 78-74 victory.
The Mustangs used 48.7 percent shooting from the floor in the first half to take a commanding 45-32 lead at halftime. Mount Ida connected on 19 field goals, including four from three-point range, and hit three of four free-throw attempts while holding Norwich to 36.1 percent shooting from the floor. The Cadets hit 13 field goals, including one three-point basket, and hit five of seven from the free-throw line.
The story turned in the second half, however, as Norwich improved to shoot 50 percent from the floor while holding Mount Ida to a 38.7 percent effort from field goal range.
The Mustangs have the weekend off and will host their final home game of the season next Tuesday on senior day with game time slated for 6:00 p.m.
Some Content Courtesy of Norwich University Sports Information