Women’s Hoops: Crymble Leads Catamounts Past NJIT 65-59

Posted on , updated on by George Commo

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

BURLINGTON –– The Catamounts used a late 6-0 run to hold on for a 65-59 win over NJIT Saturday afternoon from Patrick Gym in a non-conference matchup. Hanna Crymble scored a game-high 24 points for the Catamounts. With the win UVM improved to 5-6 this season while the Highlanders fell to 3-8.

COACH’S QUOTE
“It was a tough, gritty game,” said Head Coach Alisa Kresge. “We didn’t have our best but we fought hard and found a way to get the win.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
For the second straight game Vermont came out firing out of the gate, taking an 8-0 lead 90 seconds into the game. The Catamounts early push was keyed by three-point shots from Delaney Richason and Josie Larkins. The Highlanders cut the lead to four with 5:03 left in the half. Emma Utterback scored four points late in the quarter as UVM used an 9-0 run to take an 19-6 lead into the second quarter.
Vermont pushed its first half advantage to 19 but the Highlanders responded late in the second frame. Four different Highlanders scored as NJIT used a 9-0 run to cut the UVM lead to 10 heading to the half.
In the third quarter Hanna Crymble scored seven of the Catamounts first 12 points. NJIT’s Maria Fux hit back-to-back three pointers to close out a 12-2 Highlanders run that cut the UVM advantage to four. Crymble responded with a layup with one second left in the quarter to give UVM a six-point edge headed to the final frame.
With 2:53 left in regulation the Highlanders Kenna Squier hit a jumper to give NJIT its first lead of the afternoon, 57-56. On the ensuing possession Sarah Wells hit a contested floater and was fouled as she put Vermont back on top. A made free throw gave UVM a 59-57 edge with 2:28 to go.
After a series of empty possessions for both teams Richason found Larkins wide open for three and the Catamounts pulled away for good, earning their fifth home win of the season.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
With 24 points Saturday afternoon Hanna Crymble moved into eighth place all-time at Vermont with 1,451 points. She passed Jen Niebling (1989-93) who finished her career with 1,435. She needs 142 points to pass Aaron Yantzi (2000-04) for seventh place.
Sarah Wells (5), Emma Utterback (4) and Delaney Richason (3) all set career-highs in steals this afternoon. UVM scored 24 points of NJIT turnovers and 11 fast break points.
In the last three games Vermont has outscored its opponents 64-25 in the first quarter.
With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Make-A-Wish Vermont, bringing this year’s total to 107 wins and $10,700. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

WHO’S NEXT
Vermont begins a four-game road trip next weekend in New York City. The Catamounts will be in Brooklyn to face LIU Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m. A free live stream of the game will be available on NEC Front Row. Fans can also listen to the contest on WVMT AM 620/96.3 FM with Maura Sheridan on the call.