FINAL SCORE: Vermont 72, Saint Michael's 38
Burlington, Vt. – Senior co-captain Emma Utterback had her way against the Purple Knights leading the way with a game-high 17 points as the Catamounts won their lone exhibition match of the year on Friday night at Patrick Gym.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
CatamounTV Highlights
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"It was great to be back in Patrick in front of our fans to kick off the new season," Mayer Women's Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge said. "Thought there was a lot of great energy in the gym, and we were happy with the overall effort. There is a lot to take from this game as we continue to learn about ourselves."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vermont opened the game on a 14-2 run behind two Emma Utterback baskets and a combined 6-of-9 shooting as a team with 4:07 remaining in the first quarter. The Catamounts and Purple Knights exchanged baskets to close out the quarter as Vermont led 17-8 after the first quarter of play.
• Vermont mounted another run, opening the second quarter on a 12-6 run. Anna Olson made a turn-around jump shot to put UVM up 29-14 with 5:26 remaining in the second quarter.
• UVM would go on to finish the second quarter with an 11-4 spurt. Aryana Dizon finished a lay-up with 58 seconds left to put UVM up 36-18, a score that would stick heading into half-time.
• The Cats jumped out on an early 8-2 run to start the second half. Emma Utterback scored on the first possession and then later intercepted a pass and laid in her sixth straight point of the quarter to put UVM up 44-20 with 8:05 remaining in the third quarter.
• First year Andjela Matic scored four third quarter points for Vermont as they led Saint Michael's 56-29 after three quarters.
• The Catamounts continued their dominance into the fourth quarter outscoring the Purple Knights 16-9 in the fourth quarter. Bella Vito took an early Saint Michael's turnover and capitalized with a mid-range jump shot to double-up the Saint Michael's 58-29 with 9:25 remaining in the game. First year Paula Gonzalez continued her excellent play in the fourth quarter registering a steal, a block and four points for the Catamounts.
• Carla Celaya forced a late Purple Knight's turnover with 1:46 remaining and finished at the rim with a lay-in to give the Catamounts a 72-34 lead. Saint Michael's would chip away at the lead over the final minute, with a jump shot and two free throws, giving the game its final score of 72-38.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Emma Utterback's game-high 17 points came on an impressive 8-15 shooting. Utterback also chipped in two assists and five rebounds for the Catamounts.
• Aryana Dizon recorded a double-double leading the game with 10 rebounds to go along with 10 points. Dizon also added in a block shot.
• Preseason All-Conference selection Anna Olson had her way down low recording 10 points and four rebounds.
• First year Paula Gonzalez had an all-around game adding six points, five rebound and a game-high two blocked shots.
• Catherine Gilwee led the way with a game-high six assists to go along with five points and three boards.
• With today's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to COTS, the Committee on Temporary Shelter, as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Since the campaigns inauguration in 2017, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group has donated over $72,000 to local non-profits.

 
UP NEXT
Following tonight's matchup the Catamounts will begin their regular season on the road at #11 Indiana on Tuesday, November 8. The start time for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be live broadcast on B1G+.