FINAL SCORE: New Hampshire 52, Vermont 49
BURLINGTON, Vt.– After winning back-to-back games to start America East play for the first time since the 2009-10 season (the last time UVM was in the NCAA Tournament), Vermont has dropped three straight conference games following a tightly-contested 52-49 loss against New Hampshire on Thursday night. It was the first of two meetings between the America East rivals during the 2017-18 regular season.
 
"This loss hurts for sure," said UVM head coach Chris Day after the game. "This was our chance for a program-turning win and we fell short against a great team like UNH. We will get after it these next two days and get ready for a very good Hartford team on Sunday."
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
CatamounTV Highlights
 
The Catamounts led for 27 minutes of the 40-minute contest against a Wildcats team that was voted to a first-place finish in the America East Preseason Poll. UVM outrebounded UNH 35-31 and Vermont made four three-pointers as a team, while New Hampshire sank just one triple in ten attempts.
 
Hanna Crymble led the Catamounts with 20 points (8-14 FG), seven rebounds and three steals. It was the sophomore's eighth game this season with 20 or more points and her 16th game (out of 18) posting double figures in the scoring column.
 
Sydney Smith scored 11 points and added three rebounds, an assist and a block. Smith's co-captains Kristina White (two points, two rebounds, and two assists) and Katie Lavelle (two points, two rebounds and four assists) also aided in UVM's effort.
 
Fellow starter, center Cassidy Derda, scored six points and pulled down seven rebounds.
 
Candice Wright added five rebounds off the bench, while Hayley Robertson hit a three-pointer and grabbed two rebounds. Lauren Handy added two points and two rebounds.
 
New Hampshire won the turnover battle, committing nine to Vermont's 15. Two players scored in double-figures for the Wildcats: Kat Fogarty (21 points) and Brittni Lai (10 pts).
 
As a team, UVM shot 39% from the field, 27% from downtown (4-15) and 75% at the free throw line (9-12). Meanwhile, UNH finished at 34% from the floor, 10% from distance (1-10) and 83% at the foul line (15-18).
 
The Catamounts are now 5-13 overall, 4-6 at home and 2-3 in America East play. Last season, Vermont finished with a 6-10 record in conference play. 
 
UVM plays one more game this regular season against UNH in Durham, New Hampshire on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.
 
Next up, Vermont remains inside Patrick Gym to host Hartford for the first time this season on Sunday afternoon.
 
As with every America East contest, a video broadcast can be found online on ESPN3. Alastair Ingram and Bernie Cieplicki have the call.
 
Additionally, Logan Ratick handles the play-by-play for Thursday night's meeting with UNH on CatamounTV.com, as well as the flagship station for UVM women's basketball, News/Talk 620 WVMT-AM. Pregame coverage begins at 1:40 p.m., with tip-off set for 2 p.m. from Tom Brennan Court at Patrick Gymnasium.