ENDWELL – The Norwich women’s varsity basketball team suffered another setback in their hunt to get to the post-season, as they lost to Maine-Endwell last Tuesday night, Jan. 26.

Norwich came out looking strong in the first quarter. Megan Komendarek bagged eight of her 12 points to lead the Tornado attack and keep things knotted at 14 points apiece.

In the second, ME began to pull away. Through the sublime scoring abilities of Daniella Dean, who hit nine of her game-high 26 points in the second quarter, they jumped out to an eight-point lead at the break.

The Tornado offensive struggles continued into the third quarter, just as the ME offense began to spark. The stalwart play from the Spartans defense led to the Tornado having just nine points in the third, while the ME offense erupted for 22 points on the opposite end of the court. The Spartans had seven players make it on the score sheet in the quarter.

Norwich played a much better fourth quarter, but it was a case of too little, too late, as they suffered defeat 66-46 on the night.

Josh Bennett and crew will be hoping for a better result next Friday night, which is also the Tornado Senior night. They will be pitted against Chenango Valley, a team whom they beat 43-32 earlier in the season. Tip off for Friday night’s game is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.

Norwich: Sherman, 1 0-0 3; Hansen, 3 2-4 8; Mirabito, 0; Dowdall, 1 0-0 2; Evans, 0 2-2 2; Seary, 2 0-0 4; Maynard, 3 0-0 6; Komendarek, 4 4-4 12; Murphy, 2 0-2 5; Benjamin, 2 0-0 4.

Totals: 18 8-12 46.

ME: Ashlyn McNight, 2 1-3 7; Kara Pochkar, 0 1-2 1; K. Talerico, 1 6-8 8; A Wanchisen,1 0-0 3; Hailey Sinicki, 3 2-5 8; C. Parker, 1 1-2 3; Daniella Dean, 7 10-10 26; K. Wankel, 3 0-0 7.

Totals: 19 22-30 66.

Nor. 14 11 9 12 – 46

ME 14 19 22 11 – 66

Three-point goals: (ME) D. Dean 2, Ashlyn McKnight 2, Wanchisen, Wankel. (N) Sherman, Murphy.