FINAL SCORE: UMass Lowell 53, Vermont 62
Burlington, VT – Anna Olson's double-double helped Vermont earn a key victory over UMass Lowell, 62-53, on Thursday afternoon at Patrick Gymnasium. With the victory the Catamounts gained their fourth straight victory. With the win, UVM rises to 13-7 (5-1 AE) on the season while the River Hawks fall to 3-16 (3-4 AE).
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
CatamounTV Highlights
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"The energy that our youth brings is outstanding," said Mayer Women's Head Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge. "It's incredible and we just love their energy, it's great support to our players."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Emma Utterback got the scoring started for Vermont on an open layup after Bella Vito launched a breakout pass across the majority of the court, giving Vermont the early lead, 2-0.  
• UVM got their biggest lead of the opening quarter after Olson delivered on her layup attempt assisted by Utterback, improving the Catamount lead to 10-4 with 3:38 remaining. UMass Lowell finished the quarter on a 4-0 scoring run that brought them within two, 10-8.
• Olson and Delaney Richason scored the first six points for the Catamounts in the second frame to open scoring for UVM. Both teams took turns trading baskets before a commercial timeout with 4:35 remaining in the first half. Vermont led 18-15.
• Keira Hanson swished the Catamounts first shot attempt after timeout, coming around the screen and pulling up near the foul line, elevating Vermont's lead, 20-15.
• Just as UMass Lowell seemed to be making an offensive push, cutting Vermont's lead down to one, the Catamounts finished the first half on a 6-0 scoring run, capped off by Olson drilling a buzzer beater that ignited the Catamount Classroom crowd. Andjela Matic and Utterback each contributed two points in that scoring run as well. Vermont went into halftime with a seven-point lead, 26-19.
• Vermont began the third quarter on fire, led by Olson scoring two baskets in a row on their first two possessions, boosting the Catamounts to a 30-19 lead.
• UMass Lowell orchestrated a 8-2 scoring run midway through the third frame, but Olson answered with her sixth point of the quarter with another layup keeping the Catamounts ahead 34-27 with 4:54 remaining in quarter three.
• The Catamount's dialed up their own 10-6 scoring run to wrap up the third quarter, led by Hanson who drained two three pointers in that scoring run, both of which were assisted by Utterback. Vermont entered the final quarter with a nine-point lead, 42-33.
• Olson once again opened the scoring for Vermont in the fourth, making a sweep jump shot in the paint that banked its way into the net. Utterback got involved shortly after, scoring four straight points for the Catamounts, giving UVM the 48-35 lead.
• A late offensive surge from UMass Lowell brought them within four with 3:57 remaining of gametime.
• On the next Catamount possession, Utterback swung the ball to Hanson at the top of the three-point line, Hanson then swished in her third three pointer of the game to give Vermont a 57-49 lead.
• UMass Lowell didn't give up, staying within striking distance throughout the final two minutes. However, Utterback and Richason contributed late free throws down the stretch to seal the game for Vermont with a 62-53 victory.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Vermont never trailed in Thursday's matchup, holding the lead for a total of 37:08.
• Olson registered her third double-double of the season, recording a team high 20 points and 10 rebounds alongside two assists, and two blocks. The Catamounts are 3-0 when Olson earns a double-double.
• Olson also earned a season-high in field goals made, tallying nine total baskets.
• The Catamounts won the rebound battle 31-26.
• Utterback earned a team high six assists and three steals to go along with her 17-points.
• UVM shot 49.0 percent from the field (24-of-49) while holding UMass Lowell to 40.0 percent (20-of-50) from the field.
• UVM also shot better from the free throw line, shooting 91.7 percent on 11-of-12 while the River Hawks converted 75.0 percent (9-of-12) of their free throws.
   

UP NEXT
Following Thursday's matchup, the Catamounts will conclude their three game America East homestand against Bryant on Saturday, January 27. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The game will also be available via the international stream on AmericaEast.TV. Fans can listen to the game for free on the Varsity Network App, 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, with Ryan Zimmerman on the call.
 
Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont Women's Basketball