Lady Knights Raise Record to 4-0

Randolph Center, VT - The Vermont Tech Knights Women's Basketball team extended their early season win streak over the weekend by taking down Eastern Maine and Unity College. They defeated Eastern Maine on Saturday 49-42, while besting Unity College by the final of 55-39 on Sunday.

On Saturday, the Knights were contested by an extremely spry bunch of Golden Eagles from Eastern Maine. Although not shooting well, the home team was able to lock down the Eagles on defense through a tight man-to-man. The game started fast as Kelly Vellek (Sr./Burlington, VT) hit the first three-pointer just one minute into the contest. Vellek led the Knights in the half, scoring 11 of her 16 points in the first period. For the game, she added 6 rebounds and 5 asissts. VTC began the game up 8-2 when Ama Baker (Jr./Fitchburg, MA) hit on a three-pointer at the 12 minute mark. Baker continued her stellar play for the year, as she finished with a game high 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

Despite having the lead the majority of the first twenty minutes, the Lady Knights could simply not put the Eagles away. Their zone and junk defense was frustrating the home team, forcing outside shots and allowing the visitor's to keep with VTC in the rebounding department. The first half concluded with VTC up 10, 28-18.

The second period saw more of the same, with the Lady Knights extending their lead to 12 or 15 points, and then the Eagles clawing their way back into the game. Half way through the period Eastern Maine made a run capped by Larresha Blackman scoring on a jumper to take the lead by one. Blackman finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds. Baker answered with a jumper of her own, followed by Paige Wells (So./Orleans, VT) hitting one in quick succession to push the Knight lead to three. Wells bagged another double-double, scoring 12 and grabbing 10 rebounds. EM was never again able to challenge the lead, as the Lady Knights hit their free throws down the stretch to make the final margin 7.

VTC won the turnover battle, which was one of the keys to victory. EM committed 23 turnovers, leading to 19 points for the Knights, while the home team let go of the ball just 14 times. Of those 23 turnovers, 9 were on steals by the Lady Knights.

Sunday brought an early start and quick turnaround, as the 11am tip time definitely affected play on both sides. Vermont Tech continued their excellent effort on defense, but again struggled shooting against a tough 2-3 zone defense. Although the ultimate result of the game may never have been in question, the efficiency on the offensive side of the ball left something to be desired for the Lady Knights.

Four minutes passed before the Knights scored their first basket, but from there they quickly took and then extended the lead. Vellek was the main scoring threat, in the end again leading the team with 21, as she netted 7 straight points to put the home team up 7. Vellek also contributed with 6 steals and 3 assists. After the 7 point run, VTC never relinquished the lead.

After being up 20-11 at the half, the Knights extended their lead to 16 within the first 10 minutes of the second. They continued to pull away, being up by 20 or more for much of the rest of the game. Like the game Saturday, turnovers were key, as VTC scored 20 points off Unity's 23 turnovers.

Vermont Tech won the rebounding war 55-51, with Baker grabbing 14 to go along with her 10 points, 5 assists, and Wells snagging 12 to go with her 10 points. Freshman Serena Reynolds (Alburgh, VT) again played a solid game, finishing with 10 points, 6 rebounds.

For the Rams of Unity, Candace Robinson led both in scoring and rebounds with 16 points, 14 rebounds. Andrea Miller was the only other Ram in double figures, scoring 10.

The Lady Knights next take on NCAA DIII opponent Lesley College in Cambridge, MA before travelling to New York City for two games during Thanksgiving week. While in New York, VTC faces NCAA DIII foe Medgar Evers College on Monday, Nov. 19 and fellow USCAA member Berkeley College (NY) on Tuesday, Nov. 20.