Norwich sophomore MacKenzie Hess dribbles past a Susquehanna Valley defender in the second half of Saturday’s sectional quarterfinal contest. Hess ended with 14 points scored in the game as the Purple Tornado advanced with a59-39 win. (Jamey Mullen Photo)

NORWICH – The Lady Purple Tornado squad captured the opening round win over Susquehanna Valley Saturday night, coming away with the 59-39 win after holding off the early push from the visiting Sabers.

Norwich, who had already defeated Sus Valley twice this season, jumped out to an 11-8 lead after the first quarter behind the senior leadership of Abby Flynn. Flynn paced the Tornado with seven of the team’s opening stanza total.

The Sabers outscored Norwich 15-14 in the second, but with the strong shooting performance of sophomore MacKenzie Hess, the Lady Purple Tornado were able to go into the halftime break clinging to the two-point lead.

Hess produced nine points – all coming on shots from behind the 3-point arc – to lead the team at the intermission.

Out of the locker room for the second half, Norwich was able to get back to their style of play. Defensively, the home team held the Sabers to the eight points scored by Mara Donnelly as they caused several empty possessions for Susquehanna Valley.

On the other end of the floor, the Tornado put together an 18-point run and pulled away from the Sabers by 12. Flynn found her way to the rim to finish the quarter with six points from the floor. She also took four shots from the foul line in the stanza, draining three of the attempts.