BOSTON – The quarterfinals went chalk as each of the top four seeds earned home victories on Wednesday evening, despite a few upset bids from lower seeds. Semifinal action gets underway on Sunday, March 5 at 1 PM.
#1 Vermont 56, #8 Bryant 49
- Bryant came out firing and jumped out to a 10-8 lead in the opening seven minutes. UVM regrouped and stretched their lead to 31-16 on a triple with 3:22 left in the half.
- In the fourth, the Bulldogs went on a run to close the gap to just 46-43, however, the Catamounts scored seven straight to take control and hold on for the seven-point win.
- Catherine Gilwee led UVM with 12 points and four assists, while Emma Utterback added ten points. Delaney Richason chipped in nine points, six rebounds and four assists.
- Second-Team All-Conference selection Mariona Planes Fortuny led Bryant with 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocks to keep her team in the contest.
#2 UAlbany 59, #7 UMass Lowell 51
- Neither offense could find a rhythm early and the River Hawks took a 10-8 lead after one. In the second, UAlbany held a 17-15 scoring advantage as the two teams went into the half tied 25 apiece.
- It was a back-and-forth third quarter, as a three-point play by Amaya Dowdy tied it 39-39 with 1:40 left. UAlbany responded with the next seven points and the River Hawks were unable to tie it up as the Great Danes earned the six-point win.
- Dowdy was impressive in the loss for UMass Lowell with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
- Kayla Cooper led a pair of Great Danes in double figures with 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
#3 Maine 64, #6 Binghamton 54
- Neither team could gain an edge early, in a contest that featured 15 lead changes overall, as Maine led just 25-24 at the half.
- The Black Bears extended its advantage to five points through three quarters and keep it rolling in the final period to finish with the ten-point victory.
- 2022 America East Player of the Year Anne Simon led the Black Bears with 24 points and nine rebounds, while 2023 Player of the Year Adrianna Smith supplied 13 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
- Binghamton’s Jadyn Weltz shot 7-for-11 for 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.
#4 UMBC 82, #5 NJIT 71
- The Retrievers put up 27 points in the first quarter and then added 13 more in the second for a 40-32 halftime advantage.
- UMBC kept the offensive rolling with 18 points in the third and put up 24 in the fourth for the 82-71 final.
- Five players scored in double figures for UMBC, led by Keelah Dixon’s 21 points and five assists. 2023 America East Defensive Player of the Year Kiara Bell was all over the court with 12 points, 15 rebounds and six steals.
- Kenna Squier and Aria Myers each totaled 13 points for NJIT, with Squier adding seven rebounds as well.
For a full schedule of games, as well as links to tickets, live video and live stats be sure to visit our Championship Central.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
– Building the Complete Student-Athlete -