BURLINGTON, Vt. – Sophomore forward Anna Olson had a game-high 15 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots as UVM led wire-to-wire Wednesday night in a 71-49 win over NJIT in America East action from Patrick Gym. All five Vermont starters reached double figures as the Catamounts posted a second-straight 20-point America East win for the first time since 2010. Wednesday was the Catamounts Annual Rally Around Mental Health night presented by Inspired Closets. With the win, the Catamounts improved to 3-2 in league play while the Highlanders fell to 4-2.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"I'm happy with our outcome tonight and how we finished the game," Mayer Women's Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge said. "I thought we started executing on both ends of the floor consistently in the second half which helped us pull away. Quick turnaround tomorrow to prepare for a weekend against Hartford starting Friday."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Delaney Richason hit back-to-back three-pointers 46 seconds apart in the first quarter as UVM built an early lead. Catherine Gilwee also hit from downtown in the opening period and the Catamounts led 19-13 after the opening ten minutes.
• The second quarter was dominated by Olson, she scored 11 points in the period for Vermont. On three straight possessions, she scored to give UVM a 10-point lead with 4:25 to go in the half. NJIT's Kendle Dalrymple answered right back with consecutive three-pointers over 52 seconds of game action. Olson converted a three-point play with 32 seconds left in the half to give UVM a seven-point edge at the break.
• The Catamounts opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run over 2:10 of game action. Larkins had five points in the run and Gilwee hit her second three of the night. The Highlanders were unable to cut the UVM lead to below 10 again.
• A 6-0 UVM run to end the third quarter was capped by a half court buzzer beating three-pointer from Larkins that gave UVM 21-point lead.
• Emma Utterback had four points in the final frame as UVM cruised to its second straight blowout home win with an 11-10 fourth quarter.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Josie Larkins set a new season-high with eight assists Wednesday night. As a team UVM assisted on 18 of its 28 made field goals.
• Anna Olson posted the third double-double of her career Wednesday and her first of this season. Her five blocked shots and three steals were both career-highs.
• With tonight's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to COTS, the Committee on Temporary Shelter, as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts will face Hartford in their next two games this weekend. On Friday at 2 p.m. Vermont will host the Hawks at Patrick Gym and then on Sunday UVM will travel to West Hartford for a 1 p.m. start. Both contests will air on ESPN3. Fans can also listen live on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College on WVMT with Cooper Boardman on the call.

Rise to the Top is the presenting sponsor of Vermont women's basketball