BURLINGTON, Vt. – Junior guard Emma Utterback set a new career-high with 24 points and Vermont blocked a season-high 13 shots as the Catamounts swept the season series with New Hampshire defeating them 61-58 Wednesday evening at Patrick Gym. The Catamounts wore special-edition Rally Against Cancer jerseys that will be auctioned off to support the UVM Cancer Center. With the win, the Catamounts improved to 10-5 in conference play, posting double-digit wins in league for the first time since 2010.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"Tonight, was a gritty win," Mayer Women's Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge said. "I'm proud of our team for continuing to play through all the physicality and when the game wasn't going our way. Now onto the next."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In back and forth early action Emma Utterback had seven points for the Catamounts in the games' opening 5:30 of the first quarter. At the first media timeout things were tied up at 10 apiece. Delaney Richason had the final five points of the quarter for UVM as they led 15-14 after the opening 10 minutes.
• In the second quarter the Catamounts used a 9-2 run over 2:42 of game action to take an eight-point lead. Utterback capped the run with a three-point play in transition. UVM led 28-22 at the break.
• Over 3:55 the Catamounts used a 13-4 run to take a 10-point lead late in the third quarter. Utterback had four points in the UVM run and Richason and Josie Larkins hit three-pointers for Vermont. An Utterback layup with five seconds left in the quarter gave Vermont an 11-point edge heading to the final 10 minutes.
• A 5-0 run with three free throws from Anna Olson over 1:35 gave UVM a game-high 14-point lead with 4:10 remaining in the game.
• Over the next 3:40 the Wildcats went on a 14-3 run capped by back-to-back three-pointers by Sophia Widmeyer and Helena Delaruelle to make it a three-point game with 30 seconds left in regulation.
• Vermont hit four free throws down the stretch and escaped with the win when Bella Stuart's attempt at a game-tying three-pointer missed at the buzzer.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• This evening's special edition jerseys will be auctioned off online at uvmathletics.com/auctions. Proceeds will benefit the University of Vermont Cancer Center. 
• Vermont blocked a season-high 13 shots Wednesday evening, one off the single-game program record set in 2019. Sarah Wells blocked a career-high five shots for the Catamounts.
• UVM is now 13-1 this season when Delaney Richason reaches double figures in scoring.
• The Catamounts have won five of their last six games in those six games Emma Utterback is averaging 13.5 points per game.
• With today'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 are back in action this weekend as they travel to face UMBC. UVM and the Retrievers will close out their season series at 3:30 on Saturday, February 19. The game will be broadcast live 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