NORTHFIELD, Vt. -- Tournament Most Valuable Player Kenny Ross played all 40 minutes for the third straight game and dished out eight assists to help the Babson College men's basketball team defeat host Norwich University, 60-56, in the championship game of the Hockenbury Classic on Sunday afternoon.

Now winners of three straight, the Beavers improved to 5-3 on the year, while the Cadets fell to 3-3 with the loss.

In addition to his game-high eight assists, Ross recorded two points, four rebounds, and two steals in leading Babson to victory. Joining him on the All-Tournament Team was sophomore John Wickey, who led all players with 26 points and a career-high 17 rebounds in the win. Senior captain Peter Foley chipped in with 10 points, including two key free throws down the stretch - while junior Matt Palazini added eight points.

Norwich was led by Josh Cabrera, who posted 15 points, six rebounds, and three steals, and Tom McDonald, who contributed 11 points and six caroms.

Wickey netted eight points during a 15-0 first-half run that gave Babson an early 17-6 advantage. The margin would later reach as many as 16 after a three-pointer by Palazini made it 32-16 with 3:31 to go in the period, and the Beavers would eventually head into the break with a 34-22 cushion.

The Cadets came storming back early in the second stanza, opening with a 12-2 run to get back to within two, 36-32 and eventually pulling even after a jumper by Brandon Kuhre tied the score at 40-40 with 13:04 remaining. Wickey then hit a lay-up to spark a 7-0 burst that moved the Beavers back in front to stay, 47-40, with 11:03 left to play.

The margin was still seven after Babson first-year Travis Sheldon hit a jumper to provide the visitors with a 58-51 advantage with three minutes remaining, but a Cabrera three-pointer and a McDonald lay-up cut it to just two, 58-56, with 1:39 to go. Foley then drew a foul for the Beavers and sank two clutch free throws with 1:01 left, and the Cadets would miss each of their two field goal attempts in the final minute as Babson held on for the 60-56 victory.