Three in double figures highlight Middlebury game

NORTHFIELD, VT. – A key second half roll helped propel visiting Middlebury past Norwich in an in-state NCAA Division III clash inside Andrews Gymnasium Dec. 6.

Coach Mark Zacher's squad, dipping to 2-6, was topped by the trio of freshman guard Aliah Curry (Windsor, Mass.), senior guard Karissa Doyon (Beecher Falls, Vt.) and junior guard Jessalynn Sweeney (Stanfordville, N.Y.). Doyon registered her sixth double-figure outing with 19 points to go with a team-high two steals, while Curry tallied 16 points for her third straight and seventh double-figure scoring night in eight games. Sweeney chipped in 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Trailing 23-20 late in the first half, Middlebury (3-3) took off on a 16-4 run to close the first half and start the second half en route to a 71-57 win. The Cadets kept it as close as eight in the second but couldn't get any closer due to a strong inside game from the Panthers. Middlebury used the play of senior forward Stephany Surrette, who finished with a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds, to spur the second half run.

Norwich resumes its current five-game home stand with another in-state battle Thursday, Dec. 8. Southern Vermont College visits Northfield for a 7 p.m. tip-off.