Frank Speziale Photo

NORWICH – The Purple Tornado trailed by seven points after the first quarters against Class AA Union-Endicott in the Saturday matinee non-league contest. However, like they have done in most game this season, the Norwich boys basketball team rallied to come back for the 71-61 win over the Tigers. 

The Tigers’ lead was built by shooting 60-percent from the floor in the first half. Defensively, Union-Endicott’s quick guards came away with a few steals in which they were able to convert on the offensive end.

“We knew coming into this game that they were very talented and we were hoping we could take care of the ball against their quick guards, who have caused a lot of turmoil to their opponents,” said Tom Collier, Norwich’s head coach. “We failed to do that in the first quarter on a few occasions and it lead to some easy baskets for them.”

However, The Tornado outscored the Tigers in the last three quarters and until the fourth, chipped away at the U-E lead in each stanza.

Norwich’s Thomas Flanagan kept the home team in the contest offensively, hitting 4-of-5 3-point attempts in the first half as the Tornado closed in on Union-Endicott, pulling within four points at the break.

The second half defense of the home team is what allowed Norwich to complete the comeback. The Tigers first-half hot shooting began to cool off as the Tornado held them to just 20-percent for the final 16 minutes.