FINAL SCORE: Vermont 53, Providence 58
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Despite outscoring the Friars in the second half, Vermont's (1-2) gritty efforts fell just short, as Providence (2-1) earned the 58-53 win on Tuesday night from Patrick Gym in a classic nail biter non-conference matchup.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"Yeah, that one stings a little, I think it was just our own internal mistakes that they did a great job, credit to them, on capitalizing off of every one of them," said Head Coach Alisa Kresge. "Obviously down the stretch, offensive rebounds, but some missed assignments, things that we really do know and ingrain in our program, and they would raise up and hit a three off of a defensive missed assignment. So, credit to them for making the big shots when they needed to and I just thought they really set the tone with the toughness and we played on our heels. Definitely something that is in our control and we have to do better."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• With 7:31 to go in the opening frame, Keira Hanson interrupted a 6-0 opening scoring run from Providence, splashing her first three-pointer attempt in front of the Friar bench after being fed from Anna Olson, cutting the Providence lead in half, 6-3.
• Prior to the first media timeout, Olson secured her first bucket of the game with 5:56 remaining in the first quarter, bringing Vermont within two, 7-5.
• Both teams wrapped up the first quarter scoring four points, bringing the game to the second frame with Providence leading 11-9.
• Bella Vito and Olson scored back-to-back buckets for Vermont to open the second quarter, gaining the Cats' first advantage of the game, going up on the scoreboard 13-11.
• A 12-2 scoring run from Providence forced UVM to call a timeout with 1:27 remaining in the half as the Friars took a 23-15 advantage before heading into halftime.  
• Providence began scoring in the third frame after Orlagh Gormley knocked down a three pointer, giving the Friars a 26-15 advantage.
• The Catamounts bounced back, executing a 7-0 scoring run highlighted by layups from Nikola Priede and Vito. Catherine Gilwee concluded the run swishing a three pointer to bring Vermont within four, 26-22, with 6:50 left in the third quarter.
• Both teams went back and forth for the remainder of the quarter, seeing Providence earn a slight advantage, closing out with a 10-8 scoring run. Four different Catamounts got buckets in the run, highlighted by a Sarah Lazar three-pointer. Providence entered the fourth quarter up, 36-30.
• Gilwee cashed in on a tough turn around fadeaway jump shot to open scoring in the final quarter, bringing Vermont within four, 36-32, with 9:29 of action remaining.
• Providence orchestrated a 7-0 scoring run following the bucket from Gilwee, regaining the double-digit lead, 43-32.
• The Catamounts pounced back, seeing Malila Lenz and Gilwee go back-to-back possessions drilling three-pointers with 5:44 of gametime remaining, lifting Vermont to a single digit deficit, 45-38.
• For the next four minutes, Vermont went on an 8-7 scoring run, seeing buckets from Vito, Gilwee, Olson, and Hanson, bringing them within six, 52-46, with just 1:38 left to play.
• Hanson drilled a clutch three-pointer from deep with 23 seconds on the clock to bring Vermont back within three points, 54-51.
• Offensive rebounds and free-throws from Providence down the stretch were ultimately the difference, as the Friars walked away with a 58-53 win from Patrick Gymnasium.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Olson and Gilwee each notched a team-high 12 points. Gilwee's 12 points on Tuesday night was a season high.
• Olson tied a game-high seven rebounds, earning a season high six defensive boards.
• Priede recorded a new season high, five rebounds to go along with a new career high, three assist.
• Vito tallied nine points to go along with five rebounds, two assists, and a tied game high, four steals.
• Vermont won the turnover battle, committing nine turnovers to Providence's 16 turnovers.

 
UP NEXT
Vermont will stay home as they prepare to host Holy Cross on Saturday (Nov. 16) with tip-off slated for 1 p.m. All the action will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call. Tickets are available here.
 
For news and updates about the Vermont women's basketball program, follow @UVMwbb on X and Facebook, @Catamountsbb on Instagram, and visit UVMathletics.com.
 
Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont women's basketball.