BURLINGTON, VT- Women's Basketball defeated UMass Lowell in a defensive battle 42-37 in front of over 2,000 local students on Wednesday morning in their annual Catamount Kids Classroom game. With the victory the Catamounts improve to 11-6 and 3-2 in the America East, while the River Hawks fall to 1-13 and 0-4 in conference play.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
CatamounTV Highlights
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"It's always fun playing in front of an energetic crowd on Catamount Kids Classroom Day!" Mayer Head Women's Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge said. "Our shots weren't falling but we still found a way to win. Most importantly, we defended and rebounded and that's why we were able to come out on top."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Emma Utterback started the scoring for the Catamounts converting a layup with 8:47 left and then knocking down 1-2 free throws to put UVM up 3-0 with 8:10 remaining in the first quarter.
• Jaini Edmonds responded for the River Hawks on the other end to tie the game with a three pointer following an offensive rebound before draining another on the next possession to put UMass Lowell up 6-3 with 6:50 remaining in the quarter.
• Anna Olson had the answer for Vermont on the other end converting a layup to trim the lead to 6-5 with 6:41 remaining in the first quarter.
• From there the two teams struggled to find their offense with the River Hawks outscoring the Catamounts just 6-5 to take a 12-11 lead after a Jaliena Sanchez layup with 1:01 remaining in the quarter. UMass Lowell would carry that 12-11 lead into the second quarter.
• Again, the two teams struggled to start the second quarter with the first points coming on a Maria Myklebust free throw to tie the game 12-12 with 7:58 remaining in the first half.
• Both teams remained in a deadlock from their trading baskets over the final seven plus minutes. Bella Vito finished a layup with 3:57 remaining to put UVM up 19-17 before Edmonds answered with her third three of the half on other end to put the River Hawks back up 20-19 with 2:44 remaining. Utterback answered on the other end with a layup to take the lead back for Vermont before Ivory Finley knocked down a free throw with 47 seconds left to give the game its halftime score of 21-21.
• UML broke the halftime tie just over two minutes into the third quarter on an Amaya Dowdy jumper with 7:59 left to put the River Hawks back on top 23-21.
• From there Vermont was able to fashion together an 11-6 run over the next five and a half minutes to take a 32-27 lead after an Olson layup with 2:28 remaining.
• UMass Lowell was able to trim the deficit with a layup from Kaylen Banwareesingh and another three from Edmonds with 1:21 remaining in the third, but in between Utterback delivered a layup for Vermont, to send the game into the fourth quarter 34-32 in favor of Vermont.
• That three from Edmonds would be the last basket made by the River Hawks as Vermont clamped down defensively holding UML to 0-12 shooting and just five points on 5-6 from the free throw line.
• Vermont struggled to find their shot as well but were able to do just enough led by four points from Catherine Gilwee and two points apiece from Vito and Utterback. It was Gilwee's two free throws with 12 seconds left that put Vermont up 42-37 and iced the game for the Catamounts.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Utterback tied as the game's leading scorer finishing with 14 points on an efficient 6-11 shooting to go with three rebounds and two assists.
• Olson finished with six points and a team-high eight rebounds to go with two steals and an assist.
• Richason finished with seven points on 3-7 shooting with a block and two rebounds.
• Vermont won the turnover battle with 15 to UMass Lowell's 16 while the Catamounts also outrebounded the River Hawks 35-30.
• Vermont held UMass Lowell without a field goal for the final 11:21 of the game.
• With today's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to King Street Youth Center as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Since its inauguration in 2017, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group has donated over $80,000 to local non-profits through the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative.  
• With the one three pointer made by Vermont M&T Bank will be donating $25 to the Vermont Foodbank. With a community bank approach, M&T Bank helps people reach their personal and business goals with banking, mortgage, loan and investment services.

 
WHO'S NEXT
Following today's matchup, the Catamounts will have a full week off before traveling to take on Maine on Wednesday, January 18. The start time for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Ryan Zimmerman, the voice of Catamounts women's basketball, will be on the call on the radio on WVMT.
 
NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY
The University of Vermont Women's Basketball team will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day powered by Vermont Mutual on Saturday, February 4th during their game against UAlbany at 12 P.M. On February 4th, girls from the local community with an interest in sports and being involved in this celebration will have the opportunity to become members of the UVM Athletic Staff for the day. Girls between fourth and eighth grade can apply to a wide variety of positions including: Public Address Announcer, Marketing Assistant, Ticket Staff, and many more! Participants will be able to work in the position for one half of the game, the other half they will be able to watch the game with their family. To apply, please visit https://uvmathletics.com/sb_output.aspx?form=126