NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Wellesley College basketball fell 59-45 to host Norwich University in the opening round of the Ed Hockenbury Classic on Friday evening at Andrews Gym.

Senior Marin McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) recorded 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting with 13 boards for The Cadets (5-2). The senior knocked down all six free throws attempts taken. Classmate Haley Brewster (Virginia Beach, Va.) contributed 11 points, including a pair of shots from behind the arc.

The Blue (3-5) were led by sophomore Mirella Funari (Phoenix, Ariz.) with 15 points, four assists and a game-high four steals. Classmate Trinity Barrow (Evans, Ga.) added 10 points and three assists while first year Ava Shane (Plano, Texas) pulled down 10 rebounds.

The two teams alternated points through 11-11 in the first quarter with six ties before a late jumper from Funari put Wellesley up by two after one period of play.

An early 8-0 run brought the Blue's lead to eight at 21-13 by 7:41 of the second. The Cadets chipped away at the deficit, making it a four point game after one half of play. 

Wellesley initially ran the score up to 33-25 with 4:42 left in the third quarter before the Cadets rattled off eight unanswered points. A late McGinn layup gave Norwich its single point advantage.

A McGinn triple was answered right back by a Barrow three to start the fourth. Despite only leading by one with 6:44 left to play, Norwich went on to score the next nine points over a five minute stretch. By the time Blue first year Emaleena Elson (Irvine, Calif.) hit a foul shot to make it 50-42, the game was out of reach. Elson sank a late three pointer as the Cadets closed out a 59-45 win at home.

Norwich shot 20-for 48 (41.7%) as a team and went 14-of-18 (77.8%) at the charity stripe. The Cadets outrebounded the Blue 42-34.

Wellesley will face Keene State University in the consolation round at 12:30 PM tomorrow. Norwich takes on Middlebury College in the finals at 2:30 PM.