Lady Knights Fall to Lynx 59-38

The #2 team in the YSCC proved just a bit too much for the Lady Knights to handle, as they dropped a hard fought game by a final of 59-38.

The contest started slowly for the Knights and quickly for the Lynx, as they built a margin of 10-2 by utilizing a switching defense where they played a 2-3 zone, a 3-2 zone and a man-to-man. The defense kept the Lady Knights guessing, but it was really the stellar shooting of Sara Romano, who ended up with a game high 25 of 9-13 shooting and 5-7 from 3, that put them back on their heels. The Knights, however, were put on the shoulders of Junior Captain Kelly Vellek (Burlington, VT), who hit a jumper and then a 3 that sparked a run bringing VTC back to within 3. Unfortunately, the Knight's shooters then went cold, going 0-10 from the floor, and the Lynx took advantage of the opportunity. Over the following 10 minutes, the Lynx outscored Vermont Tech 13-1. At the end of the first half NHTI was ahead by a comfortable margin, 31-18.

At the start of the second half, the Lynx extneded their lead by 6 before Senior guard Abby Fusco (East Montpelier, VT) drained a jumper and Freshman Heather Gonier (Williamstown, VT) hit on a 3. Fusco and Gonier ended with 5 and 6 points respectively, with Fusco also bringing down 9 rebounds. Throughout the half the Knights chipped away at the lead, but every time they got close NHTI buckled down on defense or hit an outside shot that stemmed the momentum. With 12 minutes remaining, Vellek hit on consecutive possessions to trim the lead to 11, while Gonier made 1 of 2 from the free throw line to cut it to 10. Then Romano hit yet another 3 and Jess Hardiman, who finished with 18, nailed a jumper to push the lead back to 15. Much like in the first half, the Lynx used a run to again extend their margin to a comfortable amount. Over an 8 minute span, NHTI outscored the Knights 16-0, taking the score to 59-33, which eventually resulted in the final of 59-38.

After the game, Coach Winnicker explained, "It was a game of runs, and in the middle of each half they [NHTI] had one and we could not respond. We kept fighting, clawing our way back, and then they would hit a three, we would turn the ball over, foul, something that would then again help them to pull away. They are a good team, well coached and skilled, but there is no reason we can't hang with them. We are so close and yet so far. We'll keep working."

Vellek led the Knights in scoring with 19, while also grabbing 7 rebounds. Sophomore Kelsey Ward (Swanton, VT) tied Fusco for the team high in rebounds with 9.

The Knights are now 2-6 overall and 2-5 in the YSCC. The next game, and last before winter break, will be on the road against Hampshire College on Sunday, December 11th at 1pm.