FINAL SCORE: Princeton 60, Vermont 45
PRINCETON, N.J. – Vermont fell 60-45 in its final game of the 2024 calendar year, seeing Princeton win its seventh straight game on Saturday afternoon from Princeton, N.J. With the result the Catamounts drop to 5-9 while Princeton rises to 7-4.
 
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Box Score
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Prior to the first media timeout of action, Princeton got off to a hot start, taking off on a 14-2 scoring run to start the game led by Skye Belker with five of those 14 points on a layup and one three-pointer.
• Coming out of the timeout, Sarah Ericson orchestrated a 6-3 scoring run for Vermont by herself, draining a three-pointer and executing a layup plus a foul, where she drilled the free-throw to bring the Catamounts within single digits, 17-8.
• Anna Olson scored the final basket of the first frame, earning a tough layup for her first basket, bringing Vermont into the second quarter down 19-10.
• Following an opening basket by Princeton to begin the second quarter, Emma Haan drained a three pointer for her first basket of the game, bringing the Catamounts within eight, 21-13.
• Princeton concluded the first half with a 12-7 scoring run, heading into halftime ahead 33-20. Olson, and Bella Vito, connected on layup opportunities while Catherine Gilwee and Keira Hanson each made free throws for the Catamounts.
• The Catamounts bounced back from two made three-pointers by Princeton to open the third frame with a three-point shot of their own, swished by Malia Lenz for her first basket of the match with 7:25 on the clock in the third quarter.
• Olson followed with her third basket, a layup for Vermont as Princeton still maintained a 39-25 advantage with 6:15 to play in the third frame.
• Princeton went on a 10-0 scoring run throughout the remainder of the third quarter until Gilwee registered a buzzer beater three to halt the massive offensive push from Princeton. The score read 49-27 in favor of Princeton heading into the final frame of action.
• Before the first media timeout of the final quarter, the Catamounts were in favor of a 5-4 scoring run highlighted by Olson registering her fourth layup and Lenz securing a layup of her own, making the score 53-32 in favor of Princeton.
• Despite Haan and Lenz swishing three consecutive shots from deep within a one-minute span in the fourth quarter, Princeton's damage was already done, as they walked away with the home court victory, 60-45.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Haan led a team high nine points, scoring three three-pointers. Her nine points and three makes from deep both tie a season high.
• Lenz earned a game high three steals to go along with eight points and two rebounds.
• Vito tallied a game high eight rebounds to go along with two points, one steal, and one block.
• Gilwee and Ericson each notched four assists, combining for 10 total points.
• Olson shot 4-8 from the field, earning eight points to go along with four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
• Vermont's bench outscored Princeton's bench 22-12.

 
UP NEXT
Following the holiday break, Vermont will begin America East conference play, starting on the road traveling to Albany, NY to face the UAlbany Great Danes on Thursday (Jan. 2) at 6:30 p.m. The action will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and fans can listen on WVMT.
 
For news and updates about the Vermont women's basketball program, follow @UVMwbb on X and Facebook, @Catamountsbb on Instagram, and visit UVMathletics.com.
 
Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of Vermont women's basketball.