FINAL SCORE: Vermont 68, UMass Lowell 37

LOWELL, Mass. – Vermont (24-7, 13-3 AE) closed the regular season with a win over UMass Lowell (8-20, 2-13 AE) on Thursday evening at the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex. The victory secured the Catamounts the number one seed heading into the Air Force Reserve America East Playoffs and gave them their first outright regular season title since 2002.

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Box Score

COACH'S QUOTE

"This group has found a way to reach one of our goals, but we know our biggest challenge is still ahead," said Mayer Women's Basketball Head Coach Alisa Kresge. "Tonight was a good road win. I thought we shared the ball nicely and made plays on both sides of the ball." 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Nikola Priede opened the scoring for the Catamounts at the 9:46 mark of the first quarter with a layup.

• After that basket, the River Hawks went on a 7-6 run, with Jaini Edmonds accounting for all seven points.

• The Catamounts responded with an 8-0 run to close the first quarter and take a 16-7 lead into the second.

• The second quarter opened with five straight points from Keira Hanson, who went perfect from the free-throw line and knocked down a three-pointer off a Priede assist, prompting a UMass Lowell timeout at the 8:05 mark.

• Out of the timeout, the Catamounts went on a 13-6 run, beginning with a Jacklynn Hosier three-pointer off a Jadyn Weltz assist and ending with a Malia Lenz putback as time expired in the first half.

• Vermont took a 34-13 lead heading into halftime. 

• After three consecutive baskets by UMass Lowell to open the third quarter, the Catamounts answered with a 13-2 run from the 7:19 mark to the 4:01 mark. Weltz started the surge with a three-pointer, followed by back-to-back threes from Emma Haan. The run was capped off by a Hanson pull-up jumper.

• The Catamounts closed the quarter on a 10-7 run to take a 57-29 lead into the fourth quarter. 

• From the start of the fourth quarter to the 5:43 mark, the Catamounts used a 10-4 run to extend their lead, beginning with a Priede turnaround jumper and ending with Haan converting two free throws. Haan scored six of the team's 10 points during the stretch.

• The River Hawks closed the game on a 4-1 run, but it was too little, too late as Vermont secured a 68-37 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Priede reached 20 points for the 11th time this season, finishing with a game-high 20 points. She added five rebounds and five assists. 

• Hanson shot 55.6% (5-for-9) from the field, scoring 16 points while tacking on five rebounds and two assists to her total.

• Haan shot a team-best 66.7% (4-for-6) from three-point range and finished with a new career-high of 15 points. She also added two rebounds, and two assists. Lenz grabbed a game-high nine rebounds and added four points, three assists, and four steals.

• Vermont outshot UMass Lowell from the field, shooting 41.8% (23-of-55) compared to the River Hawks' 23.6% (13-of-55). The Catamounts also held the edge from beyond the arc, making 37.5% (9-of-24) threes versus Lowell's 11.1% (2-of-18). UMass Lowell, however, had the advantage at the free-throw line, converting 75% (9-of-12) compared with Vermont's 68.4% (13-of-19).

• With today's Win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to the Ronald McDonald House through the Cat's Win, Community Win's initiative. Vermont Mutual has donated over $6 Million Dollars since launching their Charitable Giving Fund in 2014.

UP NEXT

UVM will host the eight-seed on Thursday, March 5, in the America East Quarterfinals. The Catamounts will host the loser of Saturday's UAlbany/New Hampshire matchup. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. The game will air live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan and Bernie Cieplicki on the call. The radio broadcast will be available via the Varsity Network App and WVMT with Ryan Zimmerman on the call.

AIR FORCE RESERVE AMERICA EAST PLAYOFF TICKET INFORMATION

Playoff ticket applications for Women's Basketball Season Ticket holders will be available online beginning Friday, February 27, at 4 p.m. We encourage you to complete your application promptly to secure your seats for the postseason. Season ticket holders are guaranteed the same number of postseason tickets as held during the regular season. Your seat locations will remain the same for all playoff games. You may submit applications for all possible rounds. Payment will be deferred, and your card on file will only be charged if we are guaranteed to host the event. Once confirmed, your card will be processed accordingly, and your tickets will be delivered electronically.

Victory Club members and women's basketball alumnae will receive an email on Friday, February 27 regarding ticket requests, if you do not receive please reach out at Victory.club@uvm.edu.

If you prefer to pick up your tickets at Will Call (subject to applicable handling fees), please email the ticket office at athletic.tickets@uvm.edu. Additional information regarding the purchase of extra playoff tickets will be shared soon. Please note the following important dates,

Quarterfinals: Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m.

• Season Ticket Holders: Application available online from Friday, February 27 at 4 p.m. through Monday, March 2 at 11:59 p.m.

• General Public On Sale: Tuesday, March 3 at 12 p.m.

Semifinals: Monday, March 9 at 6 p.m.

• Season Ticket Holders: Application available online from Friday, February 27 at 4 p.m. through Thursday, March 5 at 11:59 p.m.

• General Public On Sale: Friday, March 6 at 12 p.m.

AE WBB Championship: Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m.

• Season Ticket Holders: Application available online from Friday, February 27 at 4 p.m. through Tuesday, March 10 at 11:59 p.m.

• General Public On Sale: Wednesday, March 11 at 12 p.m.