Senior Shannon Norton opened up Tuesday’s game with two quick three-pointers getting the Lions offense off to a quick leading start, and they never looked back.
The Emerson women’s basketball team showed Tuesday night that they can make a roar on offense, as the Lions netted 74 points — including 41 first-half points — in their win against the Norwich Cadets.
This is the third-highest point total for Emerson this season, as Norwich gave up more points than they had in any game all season.
SophomoreKristin Brice and Norton scored game-high 14 points for Emerson. Freshman Janissa Delzo dropped 13 points and sophomore Catherine Cloutier scored 12 points. In addition, Sienna O’ Han and Kelsey Johnson, both freshmen, scored 7 points.
Emerson is now 3-2 on the season in games where three or more players score 10 or more points.
Head coach Bill Gould said the solid team effort is what the Lions needed.
“For us to be effective offensively, we have to be balanced with our scoring,” Gould said. “It was a different kid producing almost every time down the court. That’s tough to guard.”
Delzo said the balanced half court offense helps spread out the defense, making scoring easier inside and out.
“It helps out the post. The defense has to come out to defend our shots, therefore, the posts are open. It makes our offense overall more our game, which is an in-and-out style,” Delzo, a journalism major, said.
After the offense opened up, the Lions let Brice, Johnson, and Cloutier control the inside, scoring a combined 22 points in the paint.
“We took an extra second, read what the defense was giving us and made the easy one-on-one move,” said Cloutier, a visual and media arts major.
Delzo, Johnson and O’Han scored a total of 27 points, the highest combined total between the three freshmen this season.
Brice praised the work of the youngest members of the team while expressing hope for the future.
“I think that we are all excited that we have so many people that make such an impact,” said Brice, a marketing and communication major. “This gives us a lot of hope.”
Delzo praised her freshmen teammates, and said the team is benefiting from their contributions.
“It’s rewarding, and it definitely helps the team not just having a couple of players that can score,” she said. “I think that was our best game as a team this season.”
Emerson improved to 6-9 on the season and 2-2 in the GNAC.