NORTHFIELD, Vt. - It's difficult to beat a team three times during a season as the Western New England College men's basketball found out Thrusday night. 

WNEC had defeated Norwich twice during the regular campaign, but the third-seeded Golden Bears lost to the second-seeded Cadets 63-59 in a semifinal round game of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament at Andrews Hall.

Western New England College trailed 38-29 at the half and fell behind by 15 points (49-34) with 13:33 remaining before making a comeback.

The Golden Bears used an 18-4 run to get within 53-52 following two free throws by junior center Deon Thomas (Albany, NY) at the 3:07 mark. The Cadets stretched their lead to five (59-54) when sophomore guard Jerrold Williams (Norwalk, CT) hit a jumper with 1:19 remaining.

Freshman guard Matt Maynard (Paterson, NJ) kept Western New England College in the game by hitting a three-pointer to cut the margin to 61-59 with only 12 seconds left.

Williams then rebounded his own missed free throw, was fouled again, and made the first of two charitry shots before sophomore guard Derrick Montiero (Mamaroneck, NY) came away with another key offensive board. Junior forward Rene Cheatham (Cincinnati, OH) then sealed the win with a free throw with three seconds left.

Cheatham was the difference for the Cadets scoring 22 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. Williams finished with 15 points.

Maynard led the Golden Bears with 13 points while junior center Malik Champlain (Norwich, CT) and Thomas each had nine points as did sophomore guard Ryan Hernandez (Hampton Bays, NY). Sophomore guard Asif Abdul-Wadud (Springfield, MA) contributed eight points.

Senior guard and team captain Jon Godbout (Bristol, CT) managed only two points in his final collegiate game as he and Norwich guard Geoff Hensley (two points) battled each other all evening.

Western New England College advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament after defeating Suffolk on Tuesday night.

The Golden Bears finished their season with a respectable 14-13 record after starting the year with a 2-7 mark.

Norwich will defend its GNAC title against fourth-seeded Emerson (a 68-58 winner over top-seeded Emmanuel) on Saturday (Feb. 25) in a repeat of last year's championship contest.