![Lady Knights Comeback to Defeat Fisher College](/sports/wbkb/2011-12/photos/DSC0075.jpg)
Lady Knights Comeback to Defeat Fisher College
Vellek Scores Career High 33
Lynn, MA - The Vermont Tech Women's Basketball team travelled to Lynn, MA to take on the Fisher Falcons yesterday. Despite being down 12 points at the half, the visitors mounted a furious comeback, spurred on by Senior Captain Kelly Vellek (Burlington, VT) and her career-high 33 points, to take the victory by the final of 73-62.
The first half was tightly contested as both teams were trying to feel each other out. Fisher's Porsha Grayson was extremely difficult to stop, as she scored several tough layups on her way to an 18 point half. Vellek and Ama Baker (Jr./Fitchburg, MA) did their best to slow her down and add points of their own, as they went for 13 and 10 in the half, respectively. Baker finished the game with 22 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 5 steals. Vermont Tech's Paige Wells (So./Orleans, VT) did her part both on defense and in terms of rebounding as she grabbed 11 of her game and career-high 18 in the first half, and held her match-up to just 3 points. Fisher went into the break up by 12, 41-29.
As the second half began the Knights seemed to come out with a renewed sense of vigor. Immediately attacking the basket and playing stifling defense, VTC made layup after layup and stop after stop in starting on a 7-0 run within the first two minutes of the half. After 2 1/2 scoreless minutes from both sides, Fisher connected on a layup to extend their lead back to 9. However, that layup sparked something in VTC as they then went on a 8-0 run to bring the game to within 1. That run was capped with 13:40 to go, as Baker converted a reverse layup on a fast break pass from Vellek.
After one free throw made from Fisher's Javanna Bernard, Vellek and Baker flipped the script from the fast break, with Vellek drilling a 3-pointer with the assist to Baker. The shot made the score 47-46 in favor of the visitors, and that was all the Knights needed. After taking it, they never relinquished the lead, simply extended it little by little until reaching as high as 15 points, and then, eventually, finishing with the 11 point final margin of victory. The Knights completed the second half by outscoring their opponents 44-21.
To go along with high scorers Vellek and Baker, Wells added 8 points as did Serena Reynolds (Fr./Alburgh, VT). Reynolds and Alyssa Cassanelli (So./Barkhamsted, CT) both secured 8 rebounds, helping the Knights out-rebound the Falcons 60-48, including 23 on the offensive side of the ball.
Grayson led the Falcons in scoring with 26 points, 12 rebounds, while Bernard added 21. Samantha Maldonado had 13 rebounds in the loss.
The next contest for the 2-0, 1-0 Lady Knights will take place at home versus Eastern Maine on Saturday, November 10th. Game time is set for 4pm, to be followed by the men's game at 6.