BALTIMORE, MD – Emma Utterback scored 20 points to help the Catamounts defeat UMBC 64-51 on the road Saturday (Jan. 28) extending their longest America East winning streak since the 2009-10 season to seven games and avenging their last lost this season (Jan. 1). With the victory UVM moves into sole possession of third place in the America East at 15-6 overall and 7-2 in the conference, while with the loss the Retrievers fall to 9-11 overall and 6-3 in conference play.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Road wins are really hard to come by in this league," said Mayer Head Women's Head Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge. "We knew today was going to be a gritty, tough battle. I am happy with how we started and finished the game. They went on a run in the fourth quarter but we responded with timely stops and scores."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• UMBC jumped to an early 4-0 lead on buckets from Ashia McCalla and Laycee Drake before Anna Olson answered for Vermont rattling off seven straight points for the Catamounts with a turnaround jumper in the paint, a three pointer and two free throws on three consecutive possessions to put UVM up 7-6 with 5:32 remaining in the first quarter.
• The two free throws from Olson sparked a 17-2 Vermont run where they shot 77.8% (7-9) from the field, led by seven points from Emma Utterback, to capture a 22-8 lead going into the second stanza. UMBC was 1-for-7 from the floor and had four turnovers during the Catamounts run.
• The Retrievers did not go away making an 8-2 run to start the first 3:36 of the second quarter to cut the lead to 24-16. Nia Staples and McCalla each hit a three for UMBC during the run.
• Delaney Richason had the answer for the Catamounts ending the run with a three assisted by Utterback (six assists) to put Vermont back up double digits, 27-16, with 6:17 remaining in the first half. Her three helped the Catamounts outscore UMBC 7-6 over the final 6:17 of the half and take a 31-22 lead into halftime.
• Olson scored on the first possession of the second half to help spark a 9-2 run for Vermont over the first 2:47 of the third quarter to put Vermont up 40-24. The 16-point lead was the largest the Catamounts had. Catherine Gilwee capped the run knocking down one of her three threes in the game with 7:13 remaining.
• UMBC answered with a 7-0 run over the next 3:39 to cut the lead back to single digits, 40-31 with 3:34 remaining in the third quarter.
• The two teams battled back-and-forth over the final three plus minutes of the quarter with Vermont holding a 7-6 edge, behind four from Olson and three from Utterback, to take a double digit 47-37 lead into the final stanza.
• The Retrievers tried to replicate the first matchup with Vermont, coming out hot in the fourth quarter with a quick 7-2 run over the first 2:39 of the final quarter to trim the lead to 49-44. Nia Staples had four for UMBC while McCall chipped in another two of her team-high 16 points during the run.
• That was the closest the Retrievers would get as UVM outscored UMBC 15-7 over the final 7:21 of the game. Utterback sparked the final run with a jumper with 7:06 remaining before Gilwee knocked down another of her threes with 6:17 remaining to push the lead to 54-44, and Vermont would never look back. Utterback and Richason each had five on the run while Gilwee contributed three and Vito chipped in a corner jumper for two to help Vermont preserve the 64-51 victory on the road.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Utterback recorded her fourth 20+ scoring game of the season leading all scorers with 20 points. She also registered a game-high six assists to go with a tied team-high seven rebounds.
• Bella Vito scored two points but recorded a career-high five assists to go with four rebounds in 24 minutes of action.
• Olson recorded double figures for the 14th time this season and third straight, finishing with 15 points and six rebounds, including four offensive boards.
• Gilwee converted 3-of-6 threes on her way to 13 points, to make it 55 makes on the season. Her 55 three pointers made is tied for 14th all-time in a single season for a Vermont women's basketball player and her 2.62 threes per game is on pace for the best in a single season in program history.
• The seven game America East Winning streak is the longest ever winning streak under Mayer Head Women's Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge and is the longest in program history since the 2009-10 season.
• The Catamounts shot 53.1% (26-49) from the floor while holding UMBC to just 34.5% (20-58) shooting.
• Vermont shot 46.7% (7-15) from three while registering 17 assists. UMBC shot 25.0% (2-8) from distance with just seven assists.
• Vermont finished 7-1 in the month of January, with their only loss coming at Patrick Gym against UMBC on Jan. 1 (58-57).
• 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 seven three pointer made by Vermont M&T Bank will be donating $175 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.

 
WHAT'S NEXT
Following Saturday's matchup with the Retrievers Vermont will have a week off before returning to Patrick Gym for a meeting with America East leading UAlbany on Saturday, February 4. The start time for the game is scheduled for 12 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Ryan Zimmerman, the voice of Catamounts women's basketball, will be on the call on radio on WVMT.
 
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR SHE ROARS AND UVM ATHLETICS
She Roars has produced an exclusive line of apparel for UVM Athletics fans to show their support of all women, transwomen, femme and nonbinary folks in sport and in our community. The exclusive team store is open until 2/5 order now at go.uvm.edu/roar.
 
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