BOSTON – The University of Vermont women's basketball team claimed the America East Rookie of the Year for the second straight season with Shelburne, Vt. native Catherine Gilwee earning the accolade. It is just the third time in America East history a team has won the honor two years in a row. Gilwee was one of four Catamounts to earn year-end honors from the league.
 
RELATED LINKS
America East: Release | Award Listing
CatamounTV Press Conference: Gilwee | Utterback
Tournament: Playoff Central
 
Gilwee started 21 games in her first collegiate season for the Catamounts. In America East play she's averaged 2.7 assists per game, which ranks 10th in the league. She was the top first year in the category. Gilwee has averaged 28.4 minutes per game this season. She scored a career-high 15 points in both of the Catamounts contests with Stony Brook. She is the fifth Catamount to earn Rookie of the Year and the second from the state of Vermont. Gilwee was also named to the America East All-Rookie Team.
 
Junior guard Emma Utterback was honored as First Team All-Conference for the first time in her career. Utterback has been unstoppable for the Catamounts down the stretch in America East play. In the last six games of league play she's averaged 18.8 points per game. In the regular season finale, she picked up a career-high 25 points in a win at UMass Lowell. She was also named the America East Player of the Week twice in a row to close out the regular season. Utterback leads the Catamounts in scoring this year with 13.2 points per game.
 
Sophomore forward and 2021 Rookie of the Year Anna Olson was named Second Team All-Conference. Olson averaged 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game this season. Her 53.4% field-goal percentage placed her second in the league. Her 1.3 blocks per game were also second in the conference. With a 3.9 GPA Olson was also named to the league's All-Academic Team.
 
After setting a single-season UVM record with 73 three-pointers this season graduate guard Josie Larkins was named Third Team All-Conference. She has now made 233 career three-pointers at UVM which ranks second all-time. She is third on the Catamounts in scoring with 11.6 points per game. In games where she hits three or more triples this season UVM is 10-2. With a 4.0 GPA Larkins joined Olson on the league's All-Academic Team.
 
The three-seed Catamounts will host six-seed Binghamton in the America East Quarterfinals tomorrow at Patrick Gym. It will be the first home playoff game for the Catamounts since 2001. The opening tip is slated for 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets. Kids 12 and under in a basketball jersey will receive free admission.
 
Ticket Prices
Courtside: $25
Reserved: $11
GA: $9
GA – Youth 12 & Under: $7
UVM Students: Free

Saturday's game will broadcast live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan and Bernie Cieplicki on the call. Fans can listen for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield on The Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 960 AM around the rest of the region. Please note the game will be on The Game instead of WVMT. The radio broadcast is also available via the Varsity Network App with Cooper Boardman on the call.  

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