Ouellette and Oliver Post Double-Doubles to Lift Women's Hoops Past Norwich, 78-72

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's basketball team snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating the Norwich University Cadets (Norwich), 78-72, Saturday afternoon during Great Northeast Athletic Conference Play (GNAC) inside Andrews Hall in Northfield, Vt. Senior forward Jordan Ouellette (Bristol, Conn.) paced the team with 26 points and 11 rebounds. With the result, the Blue Jays move to 11-3 overall on the year and 2-1 in GNAC play, while the Cadets move to 6-6 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays got off to a strong start, as an old-fashioned three-point play by junior guard Maya Slisz (New Britain, Conn.) established a 5-2 USJ edge at the 8:48 mark.
• Norwich responded with a 4-0 run to take a slim, 6-5 lead, until Slisz recorded a steal before finishing at the other end to swing the lead back in USJ's favor, 7-6, at the 7:35 mark.
• The two teams continued to trade the lead, as senior guard Amanda Fudge (Middletown, Conn.) notched a steal before finding junior forward Janai Oliver (Hartford, Conn.) for a transition layup, tying the score at 12-12 at the 3:13 mark.
• However, the Cadets closed the opening quarter on an 8-5 stretch, taking a 20-17 lead into the second quarter.
• Fudge brought USJ back within one to open the second, 20-19, but the Cadets utilized a 9-2 stretch to break open an eight-point gap, 29-21, forcing the Blue Jays to call a timeout with 6:32 left in the half.
• The Blue Jays began to fight back though, responding with a 10-5 run, capped off by a long midrange jumper from sophomore guard Adalyse Gonzalez (Willimantic, Conn.) cutting the deficit to three, 34-31, at the 3:53 mark.
• Norwich though would keep the Blue Jays at bay to close the first half, ending the second on a 9-5 stretch to take a 43-36 advantage into the break.
• Slisz recorded four straight points out of the break to pull USJ back within five, 45-40, but a 4-0 Cadets stretch saw the hosts extend the gap to nine, 49-40, at the 7:24 mark.
• USJ continued to fight back, utilizing a 6-0 stretch, featuring four points from Oliver, closing the gap to three, 51-48, with 3:55 on the clock.
• However, the Cadets answered back with a 7-0 run, extending the lead to double digits, 58-48, with 1:50 left in the third.
• The Blue Jays would not let up though, using a 9-2 run, featuring a Fudge triple and an and-one layup from Oliver, to pull back within three, 60-57, and forcing Norwich to call a timeout with 18 seconds on the clock. The score would hold entering the fourth quarter.
• USJ carried the momentum into the fourth, closing the gap to one, 60-59, after a step-back jumper from Ouellette, before senior guard Taylor Verboven (Columbia, Conn.) gave the Blue Jays its first lead since the first quarter, 61-60, with 8:27 left to play.
• The Blue Jays and Cadets continued to trade the lead, until a turnaround jumper by Ouellette at the elbow established a 68-66 USJ lead, as Norwich called a timeout with 3:28 remaining.
• USJ began to open up its lead, as a pair of free throws from senior forward Olivia Heslin (Planville, Conn.) increased the gap to four, 72-68, with 58 seconds on the clock.
• Norwich fought back within two, but USJ iced the game out at the free-throw line, taking home the 78-72 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

• Ouellette dropped a game-high 26 points.
• Slisz, Fudge and Oliver joined her in double figures, scoring 14, 11, and 10 points, respectively.
• Oliver hauled in a career-high 10 rebounds to record her first career double-double.
• Ouellette also recorded 11 rebounds to notch her fourth double-double of the season.
• Fudge and junior guard Emiah Soto (Wolcott, Conn.) dished out a team-high three assists.
• Slisz was a defensive force, swiping five steals.
• The Cadets outshot the Blue Jays, 42.9 percent to 40.9 percent.
• USJ took full advantage of their opportunities at the charity stripe, shooting 22-of-28 from the line.
• The Blue Jays won the battle on the glass, 47-38.
• Norwich dominated inside, scoring 44 points inside the paint.
• The Cadets also made USJ pay for costly turnovers, scoring 23 points off USJ miscues.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays return to West Hartford on Wednesday, January 10^th, hosting Anna Maria College for a GNAC matchup. Tipoff against the AMCATS inside James A. Calhoun Gymnasium is slated for 5:00 p.m.

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