Norwich built a 49-34 lead with 13:33 remaining in the second half when the Golden Bears erupted for an 18-4 lead to cut the NU lead to one at 53-52 with 3:07 to play. 15 seconds later, Norwich’s Rene Cheatham scored a jump shot, which snapped a four-minute scoring dry spell and gave the Cadets a three-point cushion. WNEC’s Deon Thomas answered right back with a jumper of his own to cut the lead back to one, 55-54, with 2:33 remaining.
The Cadets pushed the lead back to five twice in the final 1:19, the second of which came with 17 seconds remaining on Scott DuPont slam dunk. Five seconds later, WNEC’s Matt Maynard nailed a three-point bucket to make the score 61-59 in favor of Norwich. NU’s Jerrold Williams hit the first of two free throws with eight seconds to play for a three-point lead. Williams then missed his second foul shot but teammate Derrick Montiero got the offensive rebound. Cheatham put the game out of reach with a free throw with three seconds left.
Cheatham led all scorers with 22 points and added 14 rebounds. Williams finished with 15 points.
Maynard was the only WNEC player in double figures as he logged 13 points.
All-GNAC 1st Team representatives Geoff Hensley of Norwich and Jon Godbout of WNEC each scored two points.
With the win, the Cadets go to 19-7, while the Golden Bears finish the season at 14-13.