Courtesy Vermont Sports Information
BOSTON, MA. – Andreana Thomas tied her career-high with 26 points for a second consecutive game in UVM’s 60-45 victory over Boston University on Monday afternoon at Case Gym. Vermont is 4-1 in its last five games and improves to 5-7 for its best 12-game start since 2011, while BU falls to 0-11.
“The team executed the game plan well and really committed energy and focus defensively, which in turn helped our offense,” said head coach Lori Gear McBride. “A lot of players contributed to the win today and the depth of contribution heading into conference play will become even more important.”
Thomas was the team’s top scorer for the fifth time this season, posting a game-high 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting while adding five assists and five rebounds. Katie Lavelle collected a team-high eight rebounds.
“Dre (Thomas) was outstanding again today and it was great to have eight differet players in the scoring column,” noted McBride. “She did a good job of getting others involved, while also attacking when she had the opportunity.”
BU’s Troi Melton and Courtney Latham each finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Kara Sheftic led the Terriers on the boards with eight rebounds. The Catamount defense held Boston University below 25-percent shooting (14-for-57) for the game and allowed just five total field goals in the first half.
Kylie Atwood put the game into motion by knocking down a big 3-pointer followed by a pull-up jumper from Thomas. The Terriers held Vermont to 3-for-14 from the field in the first quarter, however UVM retained a 9-8 advantage and a 14-6 edge on the boards after 10 minutes.
BU found itself in foul trouble during the second period, picking up seven personal fouls. Vermont’s shooting picked up and helped fuel a 17-3 run as three Catamounts each connected from downtown to put UVM up 26-12 with 1:27 left to play in the half.
Layups by Sheftic and Latham late in the quarter kept the Terriers within 10 of Vermont, but UVM closed out the first half ahead 28-18. The Catamounts held BU to 5-for-26 (19-percent) from the field and pulled down 24 first-half rebounds.
Thomas picked off Latham and took it the other way for a layup, giving Vermont its first points of the second half. A jumper by freshman Lauren Handy at the 5:17 mark in the third quarter and led to a BU timeout as UVM took its largest lead of the game, 41-21. A late basket by Rachel Merrill put Vermont ahead of the Terriers 47-30 with a quarter to play.
Vermont was scoreless for the first half of the fourth quarter, allowing an 8-0 Terrier run to bring BU within single digits of UVM (47-38) for the first time since the second period. Thomas drained a key jumper from beyond the left elbow to restore the double-figure lead and UVM never looked back. Successful foul line trips from Thomas and Courtney Wright sealed the 15-point win for the Catamounts.
UVM returns to Patrick Gym for its final non-conference matchup against Oakland on Wednesday (Dec. 30) at 2 p.m. Radio coverage in Burlington begins 20 minutes prior to tip-off at 1:40 p.m. on WVMT 620-AM and SportsJuice.com with Jamie Scavatto calling the action. The game can also be viewed for free via AmericaEast.tv.
Tickets can be purchased online at UVMathletics.com, in person at the Athletic Ticket Office located on the balcony in Patrick Gymnasium (Mon – Fri; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), over the phone during office hours at 802-656-4410, or one hour before game time in the lobby of Patrick Gymnasium.