FINAL SCORE: Vermont 82, Saint Michael’s 35
BURLINGTON, Vt. –  The Catamounts defeated Saint Michael’s in their lone exhibition game of the season on Thursday night. First year Malia Lenz led all scorers in the victory with 15 points.
 
COACH’S QUOTE
“It was wonderful to see everyone tonight in Patrick to help us kickoff the new season,” said Mayer Head Women’s Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge. “It was great getting back on the court in front of our awesome fans and to compete against a hard-nosed St. Michael’s team. We have a lot to take from this and learn from as we get ready for a really tough non-conference slate.”
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Andjela Matic, Bella Vito and Emma Utterback combined for the first nine points of the game to help the Catamounts take a 9-0 lead just 3:05 into the first quarter.
• Paige Slaven ended the Catamounts run with a layup in the lane. However, the Catamounts countered with a 7-0 run, led by five points from Delaney Richason, to take a 16-2 lead into the second quarter.
•  Saint Michael’s came out hot in the second quarter going on a 9-2 run in the first 2:25 behind three straight three pointers to cut the lead to 25-11.
• Matic knocked down a three for the Catamounts with 7:15 remaining to stop the run and put UVM up 28-11.
• Over the final seven plus minutes of the first half the two teams battled back-and-forth with Vermont holding a 14-12 advantage. The Catamounts were led by Lenz with six points during the end of the half while Richason added four points for Vermont.
• Utterback and Anna Olson came out hot to start the second half scoring UVM’s first six points to help claim a 48-25 lead with 7:17 remaining in the third quarter.
• Vermont closed the third quarter on a 14-4 run to take a 62-29 lead into the final quarter.
• The Catamounts started the final stanza with a quick 9-4 run over the first 3:27 of the quarter, to solidify a 71-33 lead. Paula Gonzalez and Nikola Priede each hit a shot in the paint the Catamounts during that span, while Priede also hit two free throws.
• Over the final 6:33 of the game the Catamounts outscored the Purple Knights 11-2 behind four points each from Lenz and Keira Hanson, to secure an 82-35 victory.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Lenz led all scorers with 15 points while also leading the game with five rebounds.
• The Catamounts shot 46.7 percent from three while holding the Purple Knights to 26.7 percent.
• Hanson finished with 14 points on 6-9 shooting for the Catamounts.
• Vermont shot an outstanding 60.3 percent from the floor while holding Saint Michael’s to just 31.3 percent from the field.
• The Catamounts force Saint Michael’s into 24 turnovers.

 
UP NEXT
Vermont will begin the 2023-24 regular season on Monday (Nov. 6) when they host Miami (OH) at Patrick Gym. The season opener begins at 5 p.m. ET. Monday’s game is part one of a Vermont Basketball doubleheader as UVM men’s basketball open up against Merrimack at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday.
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
The matchup between the Catamounts and the RedHawks will broadcast live on ESPN+ with Roby Ryan and Bernie Cieplicki on the call. The international stream will also be available on AmericaEast.TV. Fans can listen to the game for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield on the Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh and 960 AM around the rest of the region. The radio broadcast is also available via the Varsity Network App with Ryan Zimmerman on the call.
 
Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor for Vermont women’s basketball