Larkins Hit 1,000 Point Marker in Cats’ Win Over UMBC

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Graduate guard Josie Larkins had a team-high 21 points leading Vermont to a 63-34 win over UMBC in America East action from Patrick Gym Saturday afternoon. Larkins became the 23rd Catamount in program history to reach 1,000 career points. With the win, the Catamounts improved to 2-2 in league play while the Retrievers fell to 0-2.

COACH’S QUOTE

“I’m proud of the way our team responded and took care of business today,” Mayer Women’s Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge said. “We shared the ball well, had multiple double-digit scorers and were able to get consecutive defensive stops. I’m really happy to see Josie get her 1000th point in front of our home crowd.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Catamounts jumped out to a 10-2 lead 4:20 into the contest with four points apiece from Utterback and Delaney Richason. With 1:57 to go in the first quarter Larkins hit two free throws to reach the 1,000-point plateau. UVM closed the quarter on a 5-1 run to lead 17-5 after 10 minutes.

Larkins had five more points in a relatively even second quarter. UVM scored five points in the final 30 seconds of the half to take a 30-16 advantage to the break.

Two Utterback baskets and a three-pointer from Larkins over 95 seconds of game action extended UVM’s advantage to 19 with 6:53 to go in the third quarter. Utterback finished the quarter with nine points for the Catamounts. Maria Myklebust hit a three-pointer and Bella Vito hit a jumper in the final 90 seconds of the quarter as UVM held a 23-point edge at the break.

Vermont opened the fourth quarter with four three-pointers in the first 3:54. Larkins hit three of them and Gilwee added another as UVM’s lead grew to 31 at 61-30. UMBC was unable to cut it lower than 30 in the final minutes of the game.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Josie Larkins hit five three-pointers this afternoon, it was the fifth time this season she has hit five or more triples in a single game. Larkins has made 45 threes this season and is shooting a career-best 43.7% from behind the arc.

UVM blocked a season-high nine shots Saturday. Delaney Richason led the way with a career-high four blocks.

Bella Vito was the Catamounts leading rebounder Saturday, she grabbed a career-high eight boards. It was the second straight game she’s set a career-high in rebounding.

Vermont assisted on 20 of their 28 made field goals Saturday afternoon. It was the fourth time this season UVM has registered 20 or more assists. UVM is 3-1 in those four games.

With today’s wins, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to COTS, the Committee on Temporary Shelter, as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

WHO’S NEXT

The Catamounts three-game homestand continues on Wednesday evening as they host NJIT at 6 p.m. The Highlanders are 4-1 in league play. Fans can listen live on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College on WVMT with Cooper Boardman on the call or stream the action on ESPN+. Wednesday is also Vermont’s Rally Around Mental Health Game presented by Inspired Closets.