WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK
The Catamounts (8-5, 0-0 AE) look to continue their home winning streak when they host Princeton (8-3, 0-0 IVY) at Patrick Gym in their non-conference season finale on Friday (Dec. 29). Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
The Catamounts matchup with the Tigers will be broadcast live on
ESPN+. Fans can also listen to the game for free on the
Varsity Network App, from Learfield on WVMT, which will air on 96.3 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 620 AM around the rest of the region, with Ryan Zimmerman on the call.
RELATED LINKS
CatamounTV Preview: Coach Kresge | Vito
Game Notes: Vermont | Princeton
Watch live on ESPN+
Listen on WVMT
Live Stats
Tickets
UGLY SWEATER GAME
The 29th will be the Catamounts' annual "Ugly Sweater Game." You can Purchase four Vermont vs. Princeton General Admission tickets for only $24 when using online promo code "2024" at checkout. We will also be giving away team swag – including a black Nike game jersey, a team autographed jersey, America East hoody, pair of "802" game shorts & more. All fans will receive a raffle ticket when they arrive, fans wearing an "Ugly Sweater" will receive a second ticket to double their chances of winning!
PATRICK GYM EFFECT
Including the 2023 America East Jersey Mike's Playoffs, the Catamounts have won 16 consecutive games at Patrick Gym dating back to last season. The Catamounts have outscored their opponents 61.7-50.8 at Patrick Gym during that span. This year, UVM is 6-0 at home and have defeated two other preseason conference favorites (Holy Cross and Sacred Heart). In their six games this season, Vermont is outscoring their opponents 61.8-48.8 per game while shooting 47.0 percent from the floor and holding opponents to just 35.5 percent shooting. On the defensive side, Vermont is forcing over 14 turnovers per game to go with 5.3 steals and 5.0 blocks per contest.
Emma Utterback is leading the Catamounts in scoring and assists at Patrick Gym with 14.3 points and 5.5 assists per game, including two 20-point games and nine assists in back-to-back games.
Anna Olson has also been strong at home as well averaging 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest. Olson and
Bella Vito have each registered a double-double at Patrick Gym this season.
TOP OF THE AMERICA EAST
Vermont is currently second in America East in opponents points per game (52.8) and scoring margin (+4.7). The Catamounts are also second in opponent field goal percentage allowed at 37.6 percent per game and are fourth in offensive field goal percentage at 42.8 percent per contest. Utterback is fourth in the conference in scoring (15.2), seventh in field goal percentage (45.2) and second in assists (4.8) per game. Olson is 11th in the conference in scoring (11.4), 13th in rebounding (5.8), first in field goal percentage (58.2 percent) and 10th in blocks (nine).
Delaney Richason is fourth in total blocks (13) and blocks per game at 1.0.
AMONG THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY
The Catamounts are currently ranked in the top 100 in the nation in points per game allowed, opponent three point and field goal percentage, turnovers per game and assist to turnover ratio. Vermont ranks 18th in scoring defense, 92nd in opponent field goal percentage and 75th in opponent three point percentage. UVM also ranks 28th in turnovers per game (13.1) and 75th in assist to turnover ratio (1.04). Olson's shooting percentage is good for 39th in the country and Utterback is tied for 38th in the county in total assists (62) and is 64th in assists per game.
INSIDE SERIES
This will be the first matchup all-time between the Tigers and the Catamounts. Vermont boasts a 45-41 record all-time against the Ivy League with their most wins coming against Dartmouth (21-18). UVM defeated Dartmouth 58-32 on November 30 at Patrick Gym. The Catamounts have faced off with six of the eight teams from the Ivy League and hold a .500 record or better against all of them except Yale (2-4). Pennsylvania and Princeton are the only two teams UVM has not faced.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Princeton enters Friday's matchup at 8-3 and and are averaging 67.7 points per game on 42.5 percent shooting from the field and 32.6 percent from beyond the arc. On the defensive end, the Tigers are allowing 63.1 points per game on 39.9 percent from the floor and 38.2 percent from three point range alongside 8.0 steals and 4.5 blocks per game. Princeton is currently 1-2 against the AP Top 25. Senior Kaitlyn Chen was recently named to the NCAA.com Starting Five and leads the Tigers averaging 16.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per contest. Sophomore Madison St. Rose is second on the team averaging 16.0 points per game alongside 1.9 rebounds per game. Senior forward Ellie Mitchell leads the Tigers in rebounds with 11.7 boards per game (4th in the country) and is scoring 4.1 points per game while blocking 0.9 shots per game.
WHO'S NEXT
Following Friday's matchup with the Tigers, the Catamounts will have almost a full week off before beginning America East play. Vermont will open conference play at Patrick Gym against New Hampshire on Thursday, January 4. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan and Bernie Cieplicki on the call. The international stream will also be available via AmericaEast.TV. Fans can also listen to the game through the radio broadcast via the
Varsity Network App with the voice of Catamounts women's basketball, Ryan Zimmerman, on the call.
Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont Women's Basketball
