WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
The Catamounts (7-5, 0-0 AE) will face Sacred Heart (5-6, 1-0 NEC) at Patrick Gym in their annual Company Outing Game on Wednesday morning. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
 
All companies interested in doing a group outing can purchase tickets at just $4 a person. Companies that want to treat their staff to this game are eligible to receive the group rate by calling the Ticket Office at 802-656-4410 to place their order.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
The Catamounts matchup with the Pioneers will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can also listen to the game for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield on WVMT, which will air on 96.3 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 620 AM around the rest of the region. The radio broadcast is also available via the Varsity Network App with Ryan Zimmerman on the call.
 
RELATED LINKS
CatamounTV Preview: Coach Kresge | Utterback
Game Notes: Sacred Heart | Vermont
Watch Live on ESPN+
Listen on WVMT
Live Stats
Tickets
 
POURING ON THE OFFENSE SATURDAY
The Catamount scored a season-high 77 points on Saturday as they defeated Duquesne in impressive fashion.  It was Vermont's highest output since posting 85 against NJIT on February 18. Saturday was the first game UVM has had five players in double figures since November 1, 2022.
 
OLSON POSTS FIRST DOUBLE DOUBLE OF SEASON
Anna Olson posted her first double double of the 2023-24 campaign Saturday with 20 points and 10 rebounds. The 10 rebounds were a new-season high for the senior forward. The Catamounts are 5-1 this season when she reaches double figures in scoring.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
This will be the third matchup all-time between Sacred Heart and Vermont, with the Catamounts holding a 2-1 advantage. In their previous three matchups, the Catamounts have outscored the Pioneers by an average of 66.7-63.3 per contest while going 2-0 at home. The first ever meeting came at Patrick Gym in 1985 where Vermont earned an 81-63 win. The last time these two teams met was in 2015 at Patrick Gym with Vermont getting a 53-51 victory. Vermont is 22-15 all-time versus the Northeast Conference (NEC) and have defeated everyone at least once, except for Le Moyne, who the Catamounts have not played. UVM also boasts a .500 or better record against every team they have played in the NEC. The NEC foe Vermont has faced the most is Central Connecticut state, who they hold an 11-11 all-time record against.
 
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
Sacred Heart is averaging 57.7 points per game on 34.5 percent shooting from the floor and 23.9 percent from three point range. The Pioneers are also knocking down 68.8 percent of their free throws as a team. Sacred Heart is surrendering 63.1 points per game on 42.7 percent shooting from the field and 31.3 percent shooting from behind the arc. The Pioneers are also registering 7.2 steals and 1.9 blocks per game on the defensive side. Sophomore Ny'ceara Pryor leads Sacred scoring 16.7 points per game on 37.8 percent shooting from the floor. Pryor is also leading the team in assists (4.2) and rebounds (6.8) per contest. Graduate student Sajada Bonner is second on the team in scoring at 10.6 per contest while chipping in 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. First year Nalyce Dudley leads the team in shooting percentage knocking down 49.1 percent of her shots while scoring 6.3 and hauling in 4.3 boards per contest. Sacred Heart was selected as unanimous favorites in the NEC Preseason Poll, making this the second of three preseason favorite opponents for the Catamounts.
 
AMONG THE BEST IN THE NATION
The Catamounts are currently ranked in the top 100 nationally in points per game allowed, opponent three point and field goal percentage, turnovers per game and assist to turnover ratio. Vermont ranks 15th in scoring defense (51.9), 77th in opponent field percentage (37.0) and 68th in opponent three point percentage (27.1). UVM also ranks 70th in assist to turnover ratio (1.04) and are 29th in turnovers per game (13.0). Olson's shooting percentage (56.0) is good for 41st in the country and Utterback is tied for 90th in assists per game (4.4).
 
AMONG THE BEST IN THE AMERICA EAST 
Vermont is currently second in America East teams in points per game allowed at 51.9. The Catamounts are also second in scoring margin at +4.6 per game while also ranking second in opponent field goal percentage at 37.0 percent per contest. UVM also ranks fourth among America East teams in shooting percentage at 41.4 percent and opponent three point percentage surrendering just 26.8 percent from beyond the arc this season. Emma Utterback is fifth in the conference in scoring at 14.6 points per game, while also being second in assists per game (4.4) and eighth in field goal percentage (43.6%). Anna Olson leads America East play in field goal percentage at 56.0 percent per game and is 11th in scoring at 11.2 per contest. She also ranks 12th in the conference in rebounds per game at 6.0 per contest. Delaney Richason is fourth in the conference in blocks per game (1.1) and in total blocks (13).
 
UP NEXT
Following the holiday break the Catamounts will host Princeton at Patrick Gym on Saturday (Dec. 29) in their non-conference season finale. That game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can also listen to the game for free on the Varsity Network App, from Learfield on WVMT, with the voice of Catamounts women's basketball, Ryan Zimmerman on the call. 
 
The 29th will be the Catamounts' "Ugly Sweater Game." You can Purchase four Vermont vs. Princeton General Admission tickets for only $24 when using online promo code "2024" at checkout. We will also be giving away team swag – including a black Nike game jersey, a team autographed jersey, America East hoody, pair of "802" game shorts & more. All fans will receive a raffle ticket when they arrive, fans wearing an "Ugly Sweater" will receive a second ticket to double their chances of winning!
 
Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont Women's Basketball