BURLINGTON, VT – The Catamounts extended their winning streak to 15 games, the longest since the 1991-92 season, defeating the eight-seed Bryant in the Jersey Mike's America East Quarterfinals on Wednesday evening 56-49. With the victory Vermont will host an semifinal on Sunday, March 5 against UMBC at 1 p.m.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"Today was a tough and gritty game to open the playoffs," said Mayer Head Women's Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge. "Our team pushed through adversity, and we were able to win the rebounding battle. March is all about survive and advance, we've got to be ready to move on to the next round."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts jumped out on an early 8-0 run over the first 3:42 of the first quarter.
• Bryant responded with a 10-0 spurt of their own to capture a 10-8 lead with 3:40 remaining following a Mariona Planes Fortuny (game-high 14 points) layup.
• Delaney Richason had the answer for Vermont draining a three and sparking a 7-2 Catamount run to close out the first quarter 15-12 in favor of UVM.
• Vermont blew the game wide open in the second quarter and following an Emma Utterback three with 3:22 remaining in the half found themselves up 31-15, their largest lead of the game. During the 16-3 run the Catamounts were led by eight points from Utterback and four points from first year Paula Gonzalez.
• The Bulldogs again would not go away battling back with a 7-3 run of their own to close out the first half with a deficit of 34-22.
• Fortuny found her offense in the third quarter and Vermont struggled to find theirs. Bryant outscored the Catamounts 16-12 throughout the quarter to draw back within single digits and send the fourth quarter into a 46-38 game in favor of UVM. Fortuny scored seven during the quarter while Nicole Gallagher added four points for the Bulldogs. Catherine Gilwee helped stabilize the Catamounts scoring six points and drilling both of her three point attempts.
• The Bulldogs continued the pressure, going on a quick 5-0 spurt and battling back to as close as one possession, 46-43, following a Dana Kiefer three pointer with 8:26 remaining in the game. However, that is the closest that Bryant would get.
• With timely free throws, a great back-door layup from Bella Vito with 50 seconds remaining and stifling defense the Catamounts closed the game on a 10-6 run and were able to end Bryant's season with a 56-49 victory at Patrick. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Olson finished with a game-high 12 rebounds to go with a team-high three blocks as well as six points and one assist.
• Gilwee scored a team-high 12 points on 4-11 shooting to go with four assists and one steal.
• Utterback registered 10 points along with eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in a game-high 38 minutes of action.
• Vermont won the rebounding battle 47-27 and collected a season-high 22 offensive rebounds.
• The Catamounts led for over 37 minutes of action tonight.
• UVM won the second chance points battle 13-3.

WHO'S NEXT
With tonight's victory the Catamounts will face UMBC in the Jersey Mike's America East Playoffs on Sunday, March 5. The start time for the game is slated for 1 p.m. ET and it will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan and Bernie Cieplicki on the call. Ryan Zimmerman, the voice of the Catamounts women's basketball team, will have the radio call on WVMT. Tickets to the semifinal will go on sale for the general public on Thursday, March 2 at 1 p.m. 

Season ticket holders can purchase their regular season seats by calling the UVM Ticket Office at (802) 656-4410, or in person at the UVM Ticket Office during regular office hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Season ticket holders can purchase their regular season seats for the semifinal game until Saturday, March 4 at 11:59 p.m. Please contact the UVM Ticket Office at Athletic.Tickets@uvm.edu or 802-656-4410 with any questions regarding your online account or the playoff ticket claim process.