Frank Speziale Photo

NORWICH – Like they have used all season long, Norwich’s full-court pressure became the key factor of the fourth quarter as they tired out the visiting Elmira Express, going on to win the Southern Tier Athletic Conference semifinal 72-57.

The Lady Purple Tornado used a 10-2 run to the start the final eight-minute stretch, where they pulled away from the Express.

Triniti Myers used the backboard to hit the first 3-pointer of the last stanza. In transition, Elmira’s Zaria Demeber-Shazer finished a layup. Following the Express’ two point bucket, Norwich didn’t allow the visiting team over the half-court line very much over the next two minutes in the quarter.

The Norwich scoring in the same stretch continued with Abby Flynn driving to the rim, a Sydney Coggins 3-pointer on an assist from Halea Eaton and the final left-handed drive and finish by Taylor Hansen. The Hansen layup put the Tornado up by 13 with six minutes remaining in the game.

Another key factor to the win was the Norwich defensive effort on Elmira’s Morgan Gentile in the final stanza.

Gentile, who scored the 1,000th point of her career just 30 seconds into the second half and finished with a game-high 24 points, was held to zero points in the fourth.

The Purple Tornado – who scored 20 points in three of the four quarters of play – jumped out to a 20-12 lead after the first quarter as six different players registered points in the score book.