Frank Speziale Photo

NORWICH – In a game of twists and turns in the last six minutes, the Purple Tornado boys basketball team had one more turn go in their favor Saturday night, defeating the Susquehanna Valley Sabers 67-61 in overtime.

“The first words said in our team room after the game was fitting for the occasion – ‘Survive and advance,’” said Norwich Purple Tornado head coach Tom Collier. “It’s the quote most often said to describe the NCAA Basketball Tournament in March, March Madness. “Those in attendance saw a early prelude to it in the Norwich Gym Saturday night. In the end our boys gutted it out to survive and advance.”

Norwich held the lead for the first three quarters of play, building the margin after each eight minute stretch. In the fourth, however, the visiting Sabers put together a run that helped tie the game before the end of regulation, sending the game into the extra four minutes of basketball.

“It’s okay guys,” said senior and captain Skylar Wenzel prior to the start of the overtime session. “We got this. Let’s go out and put it to [Sus Valley] this next four minutes.”

The Purple Tornado did just that.

Norwich’s Mujuni Mutabiilwa hit a big layup to get things going. Then teammate Marcus Cashman knocked down a 3-pointer to push the lead higher in overtime.

Wenzel, who was calm and collected at the free throw line, hit some huge free throws to extend the home team’s lead. At the other end of the floor, the Norwich big man pulled down big rebounds to allow Susquehanna Valley just one shot.

The Purple Tornado had four scores finish the night in double figures. Led by Carson Maynard’s 15 points, Mutabiilwa added 10, Cashman ended with 13 and Wenzel totaled 11.

Mutabiilwa also dished out six assists as Norwich recorded a team total of 14. Wenzel tallied a double-double, pulling in a team-best 12 boards.