BENNINGTON, Vt.-The Northern Vermont University- Johnson women's basketball team defeated Southern Vermont College by a score of 53-48 on Thursday evening.
Freshman Alexandra Barry (Hopewell Jct, NY) led the Badgers with a game high 15 points while also collecting 4 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Barry started the game with the first made field goal for the Badgers on an assist from freshman guard Amorette Rodriguez (Downey, CA). The Badgers and Mountaineers each had runs of their own throughout the first quarter. Mariah Ramos (Lebanon, NH) was fouled by Southern Vermont's Liv Pressley and contributed her first two points of the game off of made free throws. Ramos continued to be aggressive with another lay up of her own and Kaitlyn Brouard (Milton, Vt.) hit a three off of an assist from Rodriquez. The Badgers took a 16-10 lead going into the second quarter.
Southern Vermont started the second quarter strong going on a 15-4 run of their own while taking the lead. A layup by sophomore forward Devin Libby (Burlington, Vt.) and a layup by Barry brought the Badgers within three points headed into the second half. Barry came out strong in the second half scoring the first basket of the half. The Mountaineers transitioned down the floor for a made basket of their own scored by Maddie Main. Barry tried to counter and missed a field goal attempt. The Mountaineers tried to capitalize on the Badger miss when Barry made a strong defensive play with a blocked shot. The Badgers transitioned and worked the ball throughout their offense and found Rodriquez for a three of her own to tie the game at 27 a piece. Barry then scored on another layup giving the Badgers the lead. The lead went back and forth for a few more possessions until Southern Vermont took the lead by a score of 35-35 headed into the last quarter of play.
Melissa Ann Clark (Philadelphia, PA) hit a huge three to start the fourth quarter. Brouard hit three free throws to extend the Badger lead to five. The Mountaineers tried their best to make a run of their own, but the Badgers were too strong defensively and got stops. The Badgers cruised to a 53-48 win.
"Excellent team win tonight". Said Coach Eckman. "Everyone contributed all night long and it came down to making plays and shots when we needed them the most. Going into the game we stressed passing on the first shot to get a better one. The girls bought in and we had 14 assists on 19 shots made. We also had a season low of 15 turnover Which allowed us to maximize our offensive opportunities".
With the win the Badgers improve to 2-9 overall. They will host Maine Fort Kent this Sunday, December 16that 3:00pm.