The University of Vermont Catamounts pulled off a surprise defeat of Purdue 67-59 on the road in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Monday evening to secure a first-ever appearance in a Women’s National Invitation Tournament semifinal game.
A second-half comeback saw the UVM women’s basketball team earn their first win against a Big Ten opponent since 2010. They will host the Saint Louis University Billikens at Patrick Gym in Burlington on Wednesday evening. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. and is available for viewing on ESPN+.
The win comes as options for post-season play have expanded this year to three competitions for women’s basketball teams, with two NCAA-sponsored tournaments —- the NCAA Division I and the new second-tier Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament — plus the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, which is privately owned by Triple Crown Sports.
The game against the Boilermakers in Indiana got off to a shaky start for Vermont. Mid-range shots from guards Emma Utterback and Bella Vito were not enough to counter Purdue’s scoring run in the first quarter.
“I think they were just finding their legs in the first half,” said Kurtis Swahn, assistant director of communications for the Catamounts.
A big triple from guard Keira Hanson brought Vermont within striking distance before the end of the second quarter, as the Catamounts entered halftime down 29-23.
“Defensively, we stepped it up,” Swahn said.
A strong defense has emerged as the defining trait of this Vermont team. The Catamounts are 25-11 this season and almost always hold their opponents to 60 points or less.
At the beginning of the third quarter, they went on a barnstorming 12-5 scoring run to regain their lead. Two 3-pointers from Hanson and crucial free throws from Vito helped Vermont establish their dominance over Purdue.
A tight battle ensued between the two teams, but the Boilermakers could not recover their advantage. Vermont entered the final quarter of play with a 2-point lead over Purdue.
A good block from forward Delaney Richardson at the start of the fourth set Utterback up for a layup at the other end to extend Vermont’s lead. But a 5-0 scoring run from Purdue brought the Boilermakers back within two, 57-55, with just two and a half minutes on the clock.
“If we fold, our season is done,” Swahn said.
Head coach Alisa Kresge chose that moment to call a timeout for Vermont. Coming out of it, Utterback hit a clean shot just inside the 3-point line. The Catamounts then drew several fouls and connected their free throws to suffocate any late chance of a Purdue comeback.
When the buzzer beat, Vermont’s bench rushed the court for a team-wide embrace.
In her comments after the game, Kresge commended the team for staying true to their identity.
“Just watching these young women that I care about play with such confidence, believing in each other and finding a way to win is just incredible,” she said, according to a press release on UVM’s website.
Following Monday’s victory, the Catamounts would need only two more wins to make the team champions for the first time ever. Should they best Saint Louis University, they would face the winner of Wednesday’s game between University of Minnesota and Troy University in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament final on April 6.
Correction: An earlier version of this story included an incorrect first name for Emma Utterback and misspelled Delaney Richardson’s first name.
