Articles

Hoyt and Taylor Lead Vermont Past Maine in Women's Basketball 71-54

Details: Created on Monday, 20 February 2012 05:19; Written by George Commo

Vermont improves to 10-18 overall and 4-11 in America East

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

BURLINGTON – Senior Ashley Hoyt was one rebound shy of her second double-double with a 13-point, nine-rebound effort to help the Vermont Catamounts post a 71-54 victory over Maine at Patrick Gymnasium on “Senior Day”.

Vermont improves to 10-18 overall and 4-11 in America East. Maine falls to 6-21 on the year and 3-11 in league play.

Hoyt, who made her second straight start, went 5-for-10 from the field and added two blocks and two steals. Freshman Niki Taylor led all scorers with 16 points, grabbed five rebounds and collected five steals. Classmate Tierra Shumpert added 13 points to round out the leading scorers for UVM.

Corinne Wellington came off the bench to score 16 points and added four rebounds to lead the Black Bears. Teammate Ashleigh Roberts added nine points and a team-high nine rebounds.

“We had some really nice performances today,” said Vermont head coach Lori Gear McBride. “We changed up our game plan. We were really focused on stopping them inside and then we executed offensively. We took a lot less three-point shots and got it inside and focused on driving. Niki really started hitting her shots in the second half and we are really pleased with Ashley and how she is coming into her own at a great time for us.”

The first half was tightly contested. Vermont was able to build a six-point advantage, 24-18, on a jumper by Hoyt at the 7:15 mark, but Maine went on a 15-6 run to close the half and held a 33-30 advantage at the break.

Taylor, who scored 13 of her points in the second half, made a pair of free throws at the 15:34 mark, to give UVM a 39-38 lead and one it would not relinquish the rest of the way. Wellington was able to cut Vermont's lead to two, 45-43 at the 12:21 mark, but the Catamounts answered with a 14-6 run, which opened the game up and pushed Vermont's advantage to double-digits, 59-48, with 7:35 remaining in the game.

Vermont's lead would grow to 19 and the Catamounts were able to maintain a comfortable lead to earn their 10th win of the season.

Vermont turned the ball over just eight times and earned 14 points off 18 miscues by the Black Bears. The Catamounts shot 48.3 percent from the field for the game, while limiting Maine to 22.2 percent in the second half.

Vermont will return to action on Saturday (Feb. 25) when it travels to UMBC for a 1 p.m. game in the regular season finale.

NOTES: America East Players of the Game: Corinne Wellington (Maine); Ashley Hoyt (Vermont) … Vermont held an opponent to under 60 points for the fourth straight game … The Catamounts improved to 43-6 over the past three seasons when holding opponents under 60 points … UVM also improved to 12-3 under Lori Gear McBride when holding teams under 60 points … Vermont reached 70 points for the first time since a 72-60 win over Texas Southern on Nov. 26 and posted their 93rd victory since the 2011-02 season when surpassing the 70-point plateau … Ashley Hoyt is averaging 10.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in the last four contests … UVM used its 11th different starting lineup this season.