Women’s basketball team secures a decisive victory over Sacred Heart with Priede’s remarkable 25-point double-double—an inspiring showcase of skill and determination. But here’s where it gets controversial: is it truly a fair comparison when one player dominates, or does team effort matter more? Keep reading to see how Vermont’s players stepped up and what this game reveals about the sport.
FINAL SCORE: Vermont 63, Sacred Heart 46
FAIRFIELD, CONN. – Senior Nikola Priede made an impressive impact by recording her fourth double-double of the season, helping Vermont (9–3, 0–0 America East) secure a win against Sacred Heart (2-7, 0-0 MAAC) on Sunday afternoon at the William H. Pitt Athletic and Convocation Center.
RELATED LINKS
- Box Score: Link
COACH’S THOUGHTS
"Getting a win on the road is always a challenge, and we managed to do just that today," said Head Coach Alisa Kresge of the Mayer Women’s Basketball team. "Rebounding played a crucial role in this game. We focused on limiting their offensive rebounds while winning the rebounding battle ourselves. Ahead lies another difficult away game with a quick turnaround, so we need to stay sharp."
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED
- In the early moments, Vermont found itself trailing 10-8 after Sacred Heart’s junior Naylce Dudley drained a three-pointer.
- The Catamounts responded with a scoring streak, netting seven consecutive points to close out the first quarter, including five by senior Keira Hanson. Hanson’s buzzer-beater three at the end of the quarter handed Vermont a 17-12 lead.
- The second quarter saw Vermont start strong with a spin-and-layup from sophomore Savanna Creal followed by Priede’s close-range jumper, pushing the lead to 21-12 with 7:19 remaining.
- Both teams exchanged scores near halftime, with senior Jadyn Weltz sinking a three-pointer at 2:48 and Sacred Heart’s Sophie Nascimento adding a layup, keeping things competitive.
- In the third quarter, Priede made a significant contribution, pouring in 12 points. Her final shot of the quarter came through an assist from Weltz, converting a three-point play that helped the Catamounts take a commanding 45-34 lead into the final period.
- The fourth quarter saw Priede continue her dominance with a fadeaway bucket followed by an assisted corner three from Weltz, extending the lead to 50-36.
- Vermont then went on a 10-0 run, featuring a transition layup from junior Malia Lenz and a layup by Emma Kirby of Sacred Heart, essentially sealing the game.
- Vermont’s last points came from a corner three by first-year Lia Hanson.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Priede led all players with 25 points and 10 rebounds—her fourth double-double of the season.
- Hanson shot efficiently, going 3-for-4 from three-point range, ending with 17 points and four rebounds.
- Weltz contributed 10 points and led the team with nine assists, showcasing her playmaking skills.
- The team shot an overall 45.3% from the field (24-for-53), with impressive accuracy from beyond the arc—hitting 6 of 12 attempts for 50%.
- Vermont’s passing game was outstanding, tallying 28 assists compared to Sacred Heart’s eight.
- In a show of team effort and community spirit, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group announced that with today’s win, they will donate $100 to the Lund Family Center, part of a larger charitable campaign that has contributed over $5 million since 2014.
LOOKING AHEAD
Vermont will continue their road trip with a game against Holy Cross scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Hart Center Arena. Tip-off is at 10:30 a.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can also listen to the radio commentary via the Varsity Network App, with Ryan Zimmerman providing the play-by-play.
Are team efforts or individual moments more crucial in determining the outcome of a game? Share your thoughts and join the discussion below! This game exemplifies both the importance of standout performances like Priede’s and the collective effort that leads teams to victory. Do you agree or see it differently? We invite your opinions.
