Vermont Catamounts Clinch America East Conference Title
In a decisive match on Friday evening, the Vermont Catamounts triumphed over the Maine Black Bears with a score of 61-43, clinching their second consecutive America East Conference title and securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Standout Performances
Keira Hanson delivered a standout performance, scoring 23 points and hitting three 3-pointers, while shooting a commendable 69% overall (9 of 13). This victory marks the Catamounts’ third appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last four years and their ninth overall, as they conclude the season with a record of 27-7.
Malia Lenz contributed significantly as well, achieving a double-double with 13 points and an impressive 14 rebounds, while Nikola Priede added 14 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks to the scoreboard. Jadyn Weltz, although struggling from long range with seven missed shots, managed to finish with 11 points and five assists.
Black Bears’ Efforts
On the other side, Adrianna Smith led the Black Bears with a strong showing of 22 points and 15 rebounds, as they sought their 11th NCAA Tournament appearance. Smith converted 7 of 18 attempts from the field, but her teammates collectively struggled, making only 8 of 34.
Game Progression
The game started with Maine gaining an early lead at 9-2, thanks to a 3-pointer from Lala Woods. However, Vermont quickly responded through back-to-back 3-pointers from Hanson, which helped them to a 14-11 lead by the end of the first quarter following a 12-2 scoring run. In the second period, Vermont’s lead grew to 14 points, but the Black Bears fought back, narrowing the deficit to 29-21 by halftime following baskets from Woods and Asta Blauenfeldt.
The third quarter saw Vermont extend their lead further, outpacing Maine by nine points and heading into the final quarter with 48-31 in their favor. The two teams had previously faced off twice during the regular season, splitting the outcomes with each winning on their home court.
