AMHERST, Mass. – Graduate guard Josie Larkins had a game-high 20 points but UMass overcame a fast start from the Catamounts in a 68-63 decision Sunday afternoon from the Mullins Center in non-conference action. With the win, the Minutewomen improved to 11-2 this season while the Catamounts fell to 5-5.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score (.pdf)
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"We came up short today but I'm proud of how we started and finished the game," Mayer Women's Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge said. "Foul trouble and lack of execution hurt us in the second and third quarters but we still found a way to be in it at the end. We know we have to put together a full 40 minutes in order to win on the road."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts jumped out to a 7-0 lead 2:07 into the first quarter with two buckets in the first minute from Emma Utterback and Josie Larkins and then a three-pointer from Delaney Richason.
• Vermont led 13-3 at the first media timeout after first year Catherine Gilwee hit back-to-back three-pointers for the Catamounts. Anna Olson added four points late in the quarter and UVM held a 17-8 lead after the opening ten minutes.
• Four different UMass players scored in an 8-0 run over 3:01 of game action in the second quarter to cut the UVM lead to 25-24. In the dying seconds of the half UMass' Destiney Philoxy hit two free throws to give the Minutewomen a 26-25 lead at the break.
• UMass carried its momentum into the third quarter building a game-high lead of 11 points midway through the third. Utterback scored eight straight points for UVM over 2:59 of game action to cut the lead back to five at 44-39. In the final 47 seconds of the third UMass outscored UVM 5-2 to take an eight-point lead to the final frame.
• In the fourth quarter Larks hit five three-pointers for the Catamounts as they clawed their way back into the contest. Larkins hit two from downtown in the final minute of regulation making it 66-63 with 15 seconds to go. Philoxy hit two free throws to seal the UMass win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Vermont shot 46.7% from the field in the first quarter while the Minutewomen shot just 16.7%.
• Josie Larkins six made three-pointers were the most she's made in a single contest since hitting eight against Bryant on November 17, 2019.
• First year guard Catherine Gilwee, making her third career start, set a new career-high with 11 points.
• Utterback had a season-high nine assists this afternoon. In her last three games, she has 15 assists and just four turnovers.

WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts are back in action on Tuesday, December 21 as they travel to Bryant for an 11 a.m. tip, streaming is free on NEC Front Row. Fans can also listen live on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College on WVMT with Cooper Boardman on the call.  

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