Coming off of a 20-point win over the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, women’s basketball took on the Retrievers for a final time this season in the America East conference quarterfinal Thursday night.
After her career-high 22-point showing against UMBC, junior center Nikola Priede opened the game with a characteristic block in the paint. The Retrievers responded with three baskets in a row from the perimeter for a 11-6 lead halfway through the first quarter.
A three-pointer by junior guard Keira Hanson later leveled the score at 11-11 before UMBC took a slight 13-11 edge to close the first ten minutes.
Vermont began to steadily wear out the Retrievers midway through the second quarter and another three by Hanson turned the tables to Vermont 27-22 at the half.
UMBC saw a lead for the last time early in the second half before the Catamounts put 10 points of distance between the teams, finishing the third quarter ahead 42-32.
After making her third block of the game, Priede quickly found Hanson for a bold three-pointer that warranted a UMBC timeout to talk over their growing 59-35 deficit.
With under four minutes to play and a comfortable 64-37 lead, head coach Alisa Kresge made substitutions for Vermont’s starters, prompting praise for Priede as she left the court. Priede led the team in scoring once again with 19 points.
Fresh on the court, senior forward Sarah Lazar knocked down a basket from the top of the key to put the cats ahead by over 30 points with less than two minutes remaining.
Vermont’s defense capitalized on 12 UMBC turnovers, adding 16 points to their total.
The definitive 70-39 victory was a strong, all-around effort by the No. 2 Cats. Senior guard Bella Vito recorded a career-high 18 points with 12 rebounds followed by 17 points from Hansen, including five three-pointers.
The win eliminated UMBC from the tournament and solidified Vermont’s 3-0 record against the Retrievers this season.
The team will stay on their home court for the America East semifinal on Monday at 6.pm. against No. 3 Bryant University.
