WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
The Catamounts open the 2020-21 campaign this weekend as they face UMass Lowell (1-2, 0-0) at 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Vermont's America East opening weekend will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The action can also be heard on AM 620/96.3 FM WVMT with the voice of the Catamounts Maura Sheridan on the call.
 
RELATED LINKS
Game Notes (.pdf) | Live Video | Live Stats | Season Preview Press Conference
 
OUTLOOK ON THE CATAMOUNTS
Vermont returns four of its five starters from last season including 66.6% of its scoring from a year ago. The Catamounts top three returning scorers – Josie Larkins (13.2 PPG), Emma Utterback (11.3 PPG) and Delaney Richason (7.5 PPG) started all 30 games last season and will be key contributors again for a young Vermont team.
 
WELCOME TO CATAMOUNT COUNTRY
Freshmen Leiya Stuart, Anna Olson, Madelyn Roel and sophomore transfers Shelby Jane Petty (Shelton State Community College) and Marissa McDonald (NJIT) will make their debut in the green and gold this weekend.

HOME OPENERS                                                                                                                               
Vermont is 30-11 all-time in home openers. Last season the Catamounts defeated Bryant 71-66 in their home opener on November 17. Over the last ten years UVM is 7-3 in their first game at Patrick Gym. Under Mayer Head Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge the Catamounts are 3-0 in their home debut.

SEASON OPENERS
The Catamounts are 3-7 in their last ten season openers, including a 2-2 mark in the last four season openers at home. Vermont's last season opener at home was November 9, 2018 and the Catamounts defeated Rider 54-49 earning Mayer Head Basketball Head Coach Alisa Kresge's first win.
 
SCOUTING THE RIVER HAWKS
The River Hawks return four starters from last season, a very successful campaign in which UMass Lowell won 11 league games and finished in third place behind first year Head Coach Tom Garrick.
 
UMass Lowell challenged itself in the early going with two non-conference tilts against Boston College and No. 3 UConn. The River Hawks fell 88-38 at BC on December 6 and 79-23 at UConn this past Saturday.
 
On Wednesday afternoon, the River Hawks defeated Northeastern 69-59 in their home opener. Denise Solis and Kharis Idom each had a team-high 13 points to lead UML to their first win of the young campaign.
Solis was the only River Hawk to start all 31 games a year ago. She had 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists in Lowell's 62-58 win over Vermont in their last trip to Patrick Gym on February 29, 2020.
 
While Idom was named to the America East Preseason All-Conference Team, the only guard named not on Maine's roster. Last season she averaged 16.5 points per game against the Catamounts and notched a career-high seven assists against UVM at Patrick Gym.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Vermont and UMass Lowell have only met 14 times in their history, the River Hawks hold the series edge at 8-6. The home team has won six of the last seven games between the two teams.
 
LEADERSHIP GROUP
Lone senior Josie Larkins and junior Sarah Wells will serve as co-captains for the Catamounts during the 2020-21 campaign. Mayer Women's Basketball Head Coach Alisa Kresge on the duo, "Both were picked by their teammates and their coaches which says a lot about them. They provide our team with different leadership qualities and embody what our program represents. From a coach's stand point we demand a lot of them, we rely on them and challenge them at all times. They have proven to be great examples for our young team."

BE A PART OF THE CROWD AT PATRICK THIS YEAR
Miss being in the stands at Patrick Gym this season? You can still be a part of the action by purchasing a cutout version of yourself or pet to be displayed the entire season. For more information visit go.uvm.edu/cutouts.
 
Rise To The Top is the presenting sponsor of the 2020-21 women's basketball season.