BURLINGTON, VT – Emma Utterback and Anna Olson each scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Catamounts (1-0, 0-0 AE) to a 60-48 victory over Miami (OH) (0-1, 0-0 MAC) on Monday (Nov. 6) night in their 2023-24 home opener at Patrick Gym.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
CatamounTV Highlights
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"I thought there were real nerves to start the game," said Mayer Head Women's Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge. "Some of our misses were a little nervous, but they had a gameplan, and I absolutely think they tried to take Anna [Olson] out of the game. I thought they did a nice job early, we were nervous, we were sped up and they were forcing some of that, but I thought we found a way to be much more poised in the second half."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams started off sluggish as they were tied 4-4 halfway through the first quarter.
• Following the media timeout Andjela Matic knocked down a three to give Vermont a 7-4 lead with 4:35 remaining.
• Miami (OH) responded with a quick 8-2 spurt behind two points from Katey Richason and Jadyn Scott and four from Amber Tretter to take a 12-9 lead with 2:35 remaining.
• Vermont answered with a 4-0 run to end the first quarter and take a 13-12 lead into the second stanza.
• Over the first minute plus of the second quarter the two teams battled to a 15-15 draw before Vermont went on a quick 7-0 run over the next 1:06 behind two points from Olson and five from Emma Utterback to seize a 22-15 lead with 7:19 remaining in the first half.
• Over the next five minutes the RedHawks responded with a 10-0 run of their own to capture a 25-22 lead with 2:34 remaining in the first half. Jada Scott knocked down two three pointers to lead Miami (OH) with six points during that run.
• Vermont's defense held firm, and their offense steadied, answering back with a corner jumper from Bella Vito and a shot in the paint from Utterback to take a 26-25 lead into halftime.
• Vermont started the second half with a 9-2 spurt over the first 3:58 to seize a 35-27 lead following an and-one layup from Olson.
• Over the final six plus minutes of the third quarter the RedHawks battled back with a 9-6 counter to close the score to 41-36 entering the fourth quarter.
• The Catamounts used an explosive 7-0 run in the first 2:55 of the fourth quarter to expand their lead to 48-36. Vito led the Catamounts with three points on the run while Olson and Utterback each chipped in two for Vermont.
• Miami (OH) tried to battle back over the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter, but Vermont was able to hold things even at 12-12 to give the game its final score of 60-48. Lakresha Edwards knocked down a three for the RedHawks to cut the score to 48-39 with 5:51 remaining, which was the closest Miami (OH) would get as Vermont held serve to secure a 60-48 victory.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Catamounts earn their 11th straight win at Patrick Gymnasium. The last time Vermont lost at home was on January 1, 2023.
• Utterback and Olson each scored 20 points becoming the first pair of UVM teammates to do so since Utterback and Richason did so against NJIT on Feb. 18, 2023.
• Utterback finished with 20 points and a game-high seven assists.
• Vito finished with a game-high eight rebounds.
• Vermont outshot the RedHawks 48.0 percent to 40.0 percent while also converting 90.9 percent of their free throws to Miami (OH)'s 70.0 percent.
• Malia Lenz played 20 minutes in her first collegiate action finishing with three rebounds and two points for the Catamounts.

 
WHAT'S NEXT
Following tonight's matchup with Miami (OH) the Catamounts will head on the road to take on Big East opponent Providence on Friday, November 10. The start time for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m. with the game being broadcast live on FloSports. The meeting between the Friars and the Catamounts will also be available for listening on the radio through The Game with Ryan Zimmerman, the voice of Catamounts women's basketball, on the call. 
 
Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont Women's Basketball