Lady Knights Split Games in Maine

On Sunday, January 22nd in Bangor, Maine the Lady Knights of Vermont Tech, led by a stellar defensive effort, defeated the Golden Eagles of Eastern Maine 43-35.

The first half was tightly contested, with neither team giving an inch on the defensive side of the ball. Scores remained low and hence every basket and possession extremely critical to the final outcome. The size of Eastern Maine gave Vermont Tech some issues while the Knights attempted to find an offensive rhythm. The Knights kept Eastern on their toes, switching defenses and confusing the offense of the Golden Eagles. The halftime score refelected the defensive efforts of both teams, as it was only 17-14 in favor of the home team.

In the second half, the Knights came out strong, taking an early advantage and then beginning to find their legs. Transfer Sophomore Ama Baker (Fitchburg, MA) led the charge, controlling the ball and putting out a fantastic effort in only her second game with the team. She finished with 14pts, 6rbds, 6assts, 5stls and only 3tos while playing almost the entire game. Baker and Junior Kelly Vellek (Burlington, VT) pushed the pace and headed a pressure and half-court defense that kept the Golden Eagles at bay. Vellek finished the game with an impressive line of 10pts, 7rbds, 3assts and 2 stls to continue her excellent play this season. The Knights played as a true team on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The girls posted 13 assists on 18 baskets, and held Eastern to just 18% shooting for the game, including 0-15 from 3. 

Despite their size advantage, the Golden Eagles were not able to take much of a rebounding or points in the paint edge thanks to Sophomore Kesley Ward (Swanton, VT) and Freshman Alyssa Cassanelli (Barkhamsted, CT). Ward grabbed 10 rbds to go along with her 13pts, while Cassanelli pulled down 10rbds as well. The Knights controlled the second half with true team play, outscoring their hosts 29-18 and knocking down critical shots and free throws at the end to secure the victory. Danielle Watson led Eastern Maine in scoring with 10.

Unfortunately, in the first part of the two-game weekend held on Saturday the 21st the girls were not so fortunate as they lost to the University of Maine-Machias in Machias, Maine by a final of 58-43. This was the second time in two weeks the Clippers took down the Knights.

A sluggish start doomed Vermont Tech, as they spotted the Clippers an early lead and could never claw their way back into the game. Machias were ready to play and had no intentions of relinquishing their home court, as they took a quick 9-0 advantage. The in-your-face bumping defense of Machias proved to be more than the Knights were ready for, and the first half ended with the team scoring just 11pts, compared to 28 by Machias.

Although Vermont Tech showed some fire and marked improvement in the second half, they could never quite find their offense as a team. The Knights did outscore Machias by 2 in the second, but the deficit they had put themselves in was too much to handle. Vellek scored a game high 12 for the Knights while also bringing down 7rbds. Freshman Heather Gonier (Williamstown, VT) was the most aggressive player on the offensive end, scoring 10 while coming down with 9rbds of her own. Ward added 8pts, 9rbds and 4stls, while Baker, in her first game with the team, scrambled to grab 9rbds, 3assts and 3stls of her own. Machias was led by Samira Cruz and Dana Houghton, who had 18 and 14pts, respectively.

Vermont Tech is now 4-9 on the season, and will next host in-state rival St. Joeseph's College on Wednesday at 6pm. The game will be immediately  followed by the men.