Women’s Hoops: Catamounts Top Wagner in Overtime

Posted on by George Commo

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

BURLINGTON – Vermont defeated Wagner 56-54 in overtime Friday evening in the opening game of the 2018 TD Bank Classic. The Catamounts improve to 3-2 while the Seahawks slip to 1-4.

COACH’S QUOTE
“After losing a tough one last Sunday against URI we found ourselves in a similar situation,” said head coach Alisa Kresge. “It was good to see our team find a way to pull out the win.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the first quarter, the Catamounts outscored Wagner 8-2 in the paint in the opening frame, taking a 10-7 lead after the first 10 minutes.
Vermont score five points in the second quarter all off Wagner turnovers and the teams entered halftime tied at 15.
Vermont used an 8-2 run at the beginning of the second half to take the lead before both teams traded baskets in the third with the Catamounts holding a six-point, 36-30 lead. This is when Hanna Crymble (18 Pts) and Candice Wright (14 Pts) took over scoring 15 of the 21 Vermont points in the third.
Back-to-back Wagner three-pointers with 3:59 left in the fourth quarter brought the Seahawks within three and the Wagner managed to tie it at 45 with 2:28 left in regulation.
Rose Caverly (9 Pts) hit a jumper with 1:14 left to push the Catamounts back in front but a Khaleah Edwards (7 Pts) jumper at the buzzer pushed the game to overtime.
Lauren Handy (7 Pts) scored the first bucket of overtime and Vermont never lost the lead in the extra frame, holding off Wagner 56-54 with free throws from Crymble and Caverly.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The teams combined to turn the ball over 43 times, each team scored 18 points off the other teams’ turnovers.
Rose Caverly scored a career-high nine points, including six in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Josie Larkins, Hanna Crymble, Candice Wright and Rose Caverly all played over 40 minutes.

WHO’S NEXT
The Catamounts will face Drexel in the TD Bank Classic championship game at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Dragons defeated Siena 51-39 in the second game of the tournament. Siena and Wagner will faceoff at 7 p.m. in the consolation game.

Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Patrick Gym Box Office on game day. Tickets are good both games. The Vermont/Drexel contest will be streamed live on ESPN+.