WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
The Catamounts (8-6, 0-2 AE) will travel to Smithfield, Rhode Island where they will take on Bryant (5-9, 0-2 AE) in another America East conference clash Wednesday. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Ryan Zimmerman, the voice of Catamounts women's basketball, will be on the radio call on WVMT.
 
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AMERICA EAST
The Catamounts have started America East play at 0-2 despite two hard-fought battles with UAlbany and UMBC. Through two games Vermont is averaging 51.5 points per game on 38.6 percent shooting from the field and 34.2 percent from beyond the arc. On the defensive side of the ball UVM is allowing 59.0 points per game on 41.7 percent shooting from the field and 28.0 percent from three point range. Maria Myklebust is leading the scoring in America East play averaging 12.0 points per game while first year Paula Gonzalez checks in at second with 9.5 points per game to go along with 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest. Vermont currently is 61.9 points per game which is second in the conference while their 56.2 points per game allowed is ranked first in the America East. The Catamounts 42.9 percent shooting from the field is ranked first while their 37.2 percent opponent field goal percentage is also ranked first in the conference. From deep UVM is shooting an America East leading 38.7 percent while allowing just 28.6 percent from three which is sixth in the conference.
 
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Emma Utterback is leading the team in scoring this season with 14.0 points per game. She is currently ranked third in the America East in scoring and is 12th in the conference with 39.8 percent shooting from the field. Utterback is tied for 48th in the country with 65 total assists and her 4.6 assists is 56th nationally. Catherine Gilwee has had a hot shooting start to the season ranking 24th (45.65 percent) in the nation in three point percentage, while being ranked 59th in three point attempts. Her 3.00 threes made per game has her tied for 10th in the country in three pointers made per game and her 42 makes is tied for 12th nationally. As a team Vermont is shooting 38.66 percent from three which has them ranked inside the top 10 nationally at seventh, while their 42.93 percent shooting from the field is ranked 96th in the country. Defensively their 56.2 points allowed per game is 36th in the nation while holding teams to just 37.2 percent from the field (85th in the country). Their 28.6 percent three point percentage allowed is ranked 99th in the country.
 
NET RANKINGS
The current 2022-23 NET rankings were released on January 3, 2023, with Vermont leading the America East, coming in at 167. Maine followed UVM at 200 while UAlbany rounded out the top three for the America East coming in at 204. Binghamton and NJIT are the only other America East teams in the top 300 coming in at 290 and 292, respectively.
 
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Bryant enters Thursday's game with a 5-9 record and 0-2 in America East play following a hard-fought 57-56 defeat at Binghamton on New Year's Day. So far, the Bulldogs are averaging an America East leading 66.9 points per game on 41.9 percent shooting from the field and 35.6 percent from three. On the defensive side, the Bulldogs are allowing 59.0 points per game on 39.2 percent shooting from the field and 41.4 percent shooting from three while averaging 8.6 steals and 3.4 blocks per contest. Bryant is led by junior center Mariona Planes Fortuny who is averaging an America East leading 16.8 points per game to go with team leading 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Nicole Gallagher is second on the team averaging 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game to go with 1.6 assists per contest. Redshirt sophomore guard Kemari Reynolds is leading the team with 3.2 assists per game to go with 2.6 rebounds and 5.0 points per game. The Bulldogs were selected tied for seventh in the Preseason Poll with 21 total points, in their first season as members of the America East.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
This will be the eighth matchup all time between the two teams with the Bulldogs holding a 4-3 advantage over the Catamounts. This will be the first matchup between the two teams as America East foes. Vermont won their last matchup last season 61-46 on the road. Delaney Richason scored a game-high 17 points to go with seven boards and one block. Gilwee scored 12 points with two rebounds and three assists while Utterback chipped in 11 points, three boards and two assists. Bryant holds the longest winning streak in the matchup having won four straight from 2013 to 2016. In Smithfield, the Catamounts are 1-2 with their lone victory coming last season.
 
WHO'S NEXT
Vermont will return to Patrick Gym on Saturday, January 7th when they host New Hampshire in an America East contest. The start time for that game is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Ryan Zimmerman will live be on the radio broadcast on WVMT.
 
WOMEN'S HOCKEY YOUTH DAY
On Saturday, the Vermont women's hockey team will have their Youth Day presented by Healthy Living, where there will be lawn games, dress like a Catamount station, arts and crafts, and small giveaways from Healthy Living. Free admission to the women's hockey game for all kids 12 and younger and after the game, there will be a post-game skate with the cats. Free admission to everyone who presents their ticket from the women's basketball game earlier in the day.