No. 5 Men's Basketball Handles Cadets, 84-52, Completes Undefeated Conference Campaign

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The nationally-ranked No.5 University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's basketball team finished the regular season strong Saturday, defeating Norwich University (NOR), 84-52, on the road in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest inside Andrews Hall. With the victory, USJ concludes the regular season with a 23-1 record, the best regular season record in program history (went 23-2 in 2019-20). The team will have a buy before hosting the winner of the 9-8 matchup between Saint Joe's (Me.) and Johnson & Wales University. That quarterfinal matchup will be on Wednesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the O'Connell Center.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: #5 Saint Joseph 84, Norwich 52
Records: USJ 23-1 (18-0 GNAC), NOR 14-11 (9-8 GNAC)
Location: Andrews Hall | Northfield, Vt.

The Blue Jays made history in many ways Saturday, joining Albertus Magnus College as the only schools in GNAC Men's Basketball history to finish undefeated in conference play multiple times. Both teams have done it twice. No other team has done it once.

The 18 wins ties for the most in a single season in conference play in GNAC Basketball history (men's or women's). This is the 20th time in the conference's 27-year history in which a basketball team has finished undefeated in GNAC play. 14 of those belong to Emmanuel Women's Basketball, two for the AMC men, two for USJ's men, and two for the Saint Joe's (Me.) women.

With no conference play in the abbreviated 2020-21, USJ still made history Saturday as the only team in GNAC Men's Basketball history to have consecutive undefeated seasons in GNAC play.

Senior guard Ryan O'Neill (Litchfield, Conn.) was the high-man for USJ with 17 points. He also had four rebounds. A flock of four other Blue Jays reached double-figures including the three J's, senior guard Jaecee Martin (Hartford, Conn.), senior forward Jordan Powell (Middletown, Conn.), and junior forward Jalen Samuels (Franklin, Mass.). Samuels had 10 of his 15 points in the first half.  Senior forward Donovan Lewis Jr. (Savannah, Ga.) was the high scorer for the Cadets with 13.

The Cadets hung tough in the first half behind a tight 2-3 zone, forcing the visitors to make outside shots. The Blue Jays still found a way to get to their spot though, as Martin and Samuels slashed to the rim over and over, while Powell connected in the post. Even after a 6-0 run by Saint Joseph, the lead was just nine, 39-30 at the break. Lewis Jr. had nine of his 13 in half number one to keep the hosts alive.

The Blue Jays came out in the second half commtitted to wearing Norwich down, and they did just that, blowing the game open midway through the second stanza behind a 13-5 run, leading to a Norwich timeout. The exclamation point was made minutes later on an 18-0 to make it 76-45 USJ. Martin and O'Neill scored 10 each in half number two.

The Blue Jays shot over 50% for the game and committed just nine turnovers – it's the first time in program history that the Blue Jays committed single-digit turnovers in consecutive games. USJ is now 3-0 all-time vs the Cadets. Two of the three wins have come by double-digits.

UP NEXT
The top-seeded Blue Jays have concluded the regular season and have a first-round bye in the GNAC Tournament. USJ, which has home court advantage throughout the playoffs, will host either Saint Joe's (Me.) or Johnson & Wales University in the GNAC Quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the O'Connell Center. Tickets can be purchased here starting Monday, or you can catch the action live on usjbluejays.com

Follow USJ Athletics
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays