Women’s Hoops: Merrimack Rolls Past UVM 78-53

Posted on by George Commo

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

NORTH ANDOVER, MA. –– Merrimack outscored Vermont by 14 in the second quarter on their way to a 78-53 win Sunday afternoon from Hammel Court in the Catamounts final non-conference matchup of the season. With the win the Warriors improved to 7-4 this season while the Catamounts fell to 6-7.

COACH’S QUOTE
“Credit to Merrimack, they played tough and hit shots,” said Head Coach Alisa Kresge. “We did not execute and did not have the focus needed to win on the road and get our fifth win in a row. Now we have to regroup and get ready for conference play.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Catamounts took an early 5-0 lead with an Emma Utterback three-pointer and Delaney Richason jumper. Merrimack responded with their own 10-0 run fueled by 5 points from Kate Mager. Richason had 10 points on five-of-six shooting from the field in the opening frame. Merrimack took a 17-15 edge into the second quarter.
In the second quarter Merrimack’s Alana Fursman helped take the game over for the home team. She had a personal 9-0 run, including back-to-back three-pointers, as Merrimack outscored the Catamounts by 14 in the period.
Hanna Crymble had nine points for the Catamounts in the third quarter but Merrimack built its advantage winning the quarter 19-18.
Josie Larkins hit a three-pointer 1:26 into the fourth quarter to cut the Merrimack lead to 17 but that was as close as Vermont would get as the Warriors pulled away for their fifth home win of the season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Merrimack completed a sweep of America East opponents in the non-conference defeating UNH, UMass Lowell and Vermont at home.
Vermont’s six non-conference wins this season are the most by the Catamounts since 2011-12.
Playing 20 miles from her hometown of Marblehead, Mass. Abby Settelmeyer had three points, and four rebounds in 10 minutes of game action.
In addition to leading the Catamounts in scoring with 14 points Delaney Richason also matched a career-high with six rebounds.

WHO’S NEXT
Vermont will kick of 2020 with the start of conference play on Thursday, January 2 as they travel to UAlbany to face the Great Danes. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the action can be seen on ESPN+. All of Vermont’s 16 America East regular season contests will be broadcast live on ESPN3 or ESPN+. Fans can also listen to the contest on WVMT AM 620/96.3 FM with Maura Sheridan on the call.