PRESQUE ISLE, ME.-The Northern Vermont University-Johnson women's basketball team clinched a playoff birth for the 2020 North Atlantic Conference playoffs on Saturday afternoon after cruising to a 75-69 win over the Owls. 

Junior Ellery Kiefer led the way for the Badgers with a dominant performance. The junior forward scored a game high 27 points on 10-13 shooting while adding eight boards and two steals. Lindsey LaPerle scored 12 points for the Badgers off the bench and Kiana Johnson and Amorette Rodriquez rounded out the Badger top performers. Johnson scored 11 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal while Rodriquez added ten points, four rebounds and four steals. 

UMPI controlled the pace early in the contest jumping out to the early 19-13 lead. The Owls continued to control the pace throughout the second period, but the Badgers countered and were only outscored by one point in the period. A strong half from Mariah Dunbar gave the Owls the 33-26 lead headed into the break.

The Badgers came out of the break on fire scoring 35 points in the quarter. Kiefer paced the Badgers scoring 15 points in the period and shooting an impressive 5-7 from the field. Johnson and Alexandra Barry scored six points apiece and Barry shot a perfect 3-3from the floor. 

The Owls competed for a comeback in the final stint of action, but it wasn't enough as the Badgers rolled to the 75-69 win. 

With the win the Badgers improve to 4-19 on the season and 4-9 in conference play. The Badgers will close out the 2020 regular season on Tuesday, February 18 against NVU-Lyndon in a President's Cup and North Atlantic Conference battle.