WEST HARTFORD, Conn.-- The No. 2 Vermont Catamounts and the No. 3 Boston University Terriers advanced to the semifinals of the 2008 America East Women's Basketball Championship presented by Friendship Cottage Cheese with wins in the quarterfinal round on Friday afternoon. Vermont defeated New Hampshire, 70-45, in the first game of the day at Chase Family Arena on the campus of University of Hartford, while Boston U. surged past UMBC, 88-59, in the later game of the session.
The Catamounts will face the Terriers in the second semifinal Saturday, March 15 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on NESN with Eric Frede and Leah Secondo.
Vermont came out aggressive early on and took the 9-0 lead to open the first half. New Hampshire was never able to come back and hold a lead in the game. The Catamounts' defense became their best offensive weapon, holding the Wildcats to just 25% shooting in the first half, and 28% for the game. Despite allowing 10 offensive rebounds, the Wildcats still scored just five second-chance points.
Vermont junior forward Kelli Poles scored a team-high 18 points and brought down eight boards. Senior Sara Fenton had one of the best complete games for the Catamounts, scoring eight points and recording 15 rebounds, six assists and two steals. The 2008 Player of the Year sophomore guard Courtnay Pilypaitis was held to four points.
In the second game, the Terriers also came out strong and led for the entirety of the game. They finished the game shooting 61.4% from the field for one of the top five single-game percentages in America East tournament play. Boston U. also dished out the ball for 28 assists on 35 of their field goals.
Terrier senior Kasey Devine netted a game-high 26 points, while classmate Cheri Raffo finished with 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Three Retrievers hit double-figures, with sophomore Carlee Cassidy and junior Chantay Frazier leading the way with 18 points.
The tournament continues with the later quarterfinals at Chase Arena. No. 9 Stony Brook and No. 1 Hartford square off at 6 p.m., while No. 5 Binghamton and No. 4 Albany take the court in the nightcap. Both games are available for free live at the America East Zone via the America East PackCast.
The 2008 America East Women's Basketball Championship Presented by Friendship Cottage Cheese
First Round - Thursday, March 13, 2008
No. 9 Stony Brook 64, No. 8 Maine 58 (AE PackCast)
Game Story l Box Score l Photos
Quarterfinals - Friday, March 14, 2008No. 2 Vermont 70, No. 7 New Hampshire 45, 12 p.m. (AE PackCast)
Game Story l Box Score l Photos l Post Game QuotesNo. 3 Boston U. 88, No. 6 UMBC 59, 2 p.m. (AE PackCast)
Game Story l Box Score l PhotosNo. 9 Stony Brook vs. No. 1 Hartford (AE PackCast)
No. 5 Binghamton vs. No. 4 Albany (AE PackCast)
Semifinals - Saturday, March 15, 2008Winner of Stony Brook/Hartford vs. Winner of Binghamton/Albany, 5 p.m. (NESN)
Winner of New Hampshire/Vermont vs. Winner of UMBC/Boston U., 7 p.m. (NESN)
Final - Sunday, March 16, 2008Winner of semifinal #1 vs. Winner of semifinal #2, 5 p.m. (CSN)