OXFORD, OHIO – Despite falling behind by more than 20 points early in the contest at Miami University the Catamounts used a fierce comeback to claw back to within single digits by the end. The Redhawks escaped the scare to hold on to a 79-73 win over the Catamounts to improve to 1-1 on the season, while Vermont falls to 0-2 on their early season road trip.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf) 
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"I hope we learned a big lesson today that we can't start any game with a lack of focus or intensity," stated Mayer Head Women's Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge. "We lost this game in the first 10 minutes. We showed what Vermont basketball can look like for the last 30 minutes and fought hard to get ourselves back in the game. Whether we are on the road or at home, it ultimately takes an entire 40 minutes of effort and discipline to give ourselves the best chance to win."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Miami University came out hot to start at home knocking down their first three shot attempts to create a 7-0 lead in just under two minutes (with 8:09 remaining). The Redhawks continued their early dominance with Ivy Wolf scoring 14 first quarter points on 4-4 from beyond the arc, to push the Miami lead to 28-8 after the first stanza.
• The Redhawks started fast again in the second quarter extending their lead to 34-10 before a Carla Celaya three sparked Vermont with 7:25 remaining in the half. The Catamounts used that three pointer as the jump start to a 17-0 run over the next 5:17, which helped cut the Miami lead to 34-27 with 2:07 remaining in the first half.
• Miami University used an 9-2 run to extend their lead to 43-29 before Delaney Richason knocked down a deep three right before the buzzer to cut the halftime score to 43-32.
• Aryana Dizon was a huge spark off the bench in the second quarter providing seven points across just three minutes of action.
• This game was a tale of runs, as the Redhawks, despite an early third quarter three from first year Carla Celaya, were able to build their lead to double digits again, 50-38 with 6:02 remaining. The Catamounts would go on to outscore Miami 17-10 over the final six minutes including a 9-4 run over the final 2:48 of the period, capped off by a Catherine GIlwee three right before the buzzer to cut the lead to 60-55 entering the fourth.
• Gilwee continued the hot hand for the Catamounts nailing a three to start the fourth quarter and cut the lead to 60-58, the closest it had been since Miami's opening possession of the game.
• After Gilwee's three the Redhawks responded with a 10-0 run to push the score back to double digits, 70-58 with 7:31 remaining in the contest. Vermont would not go away as they again responded outscoring Miami 9-0 over the next three minutes of action to cut the lead to 70-67 with 4:31 remaining. Vermont could never get over that three point hump though, as the two teams executed their offensive sets down the stretch trading blows over the final four plus minutes of action to give the contest its final score of 79-73.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Catamounts erased a 20-point first quarter deficit on their way to outscoring Miami University 65-51 over the final three quarters.
• Emma Utterback recorded her first career double-double notching 14 points while matching a career-high with 10 assists to go along with six rebounds. Utterback last recorded 10 assists against UAlbany during her first year campaign (Jan. 2, 2020)
• Delaney Richason battled against her sister Katey Richason for the first time in their collegiate careers. Delaney Richason received the better stat line finishing with 13 points on 4-8 shooting with a block and five rebounds. However, it was her sister Katey Richason who got the win, finishing with three points and three rebounds in 13 minutes of action off the bench for the Redhawks.
• Catherine Gilwee got hot in the second half scoring all nine of her points and making all three of her three point field goals for the game.
• First year Carla Celaya provided a huge spark for the Catamounts registering a career-high 10 points in 19 minutes of action and going 3-5 for treys.
• Aryana Dizon continued her strong start to the season providing a huge spark off the bench with 11 points a block, two steals and a rebound.
• Vermont shot 35.0 percent from beyond the arc and knocked down 43.8 percent of their shots from the field. UVM also owned the offensive glass grabbing down 12 boards which led to seven second chance points for the Catamounts.

 
UP NEXT
Following this two game road trip to start the season the Catamounts will finally return to Patrick Gym for the 2022-23 season as they host AIC on Tuesday, November 15 at 6 p.m. in their home opener. Click here to buy tickets now. The game will also air live on ESPN+. New voice of the Catamounts women's basketball team Ryan Zimmeran will be on the call on WVMT (FM 96.3 / AM 620) and the Varsity Network App, which you can download here.
 
Next Tuesday's game is also Military Appreciation Night presented by Milton Cat. We encourage fans to visit with our friends from Josh Pallotta Fund, a local non-profit providing critical services to veterans and active military personnel. As a thank you to those that have served or are currently serving, all military personnel will receive a complimentary ticket to the game with a valid military ID. 
 
JERSEY AUCTION
For Tuesday's matchup with AIC, the team will also be wearing special edition Military Appreciation jerseys that will be auctioned off online starting at tip-off. The online auction will go live on November 15th at 6 p.m. and will end on November 22nd at 6 p.m. When the auction goes live, visit uvmathletics.com/auctions to place your bids. Proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit the Josh Pallotta Fund.