BOSTON – Vermont, Bryant and Maine all went undefeated for the week as the women's #AEHoops season nears the midway point. UAlbany remains the top seed despite being handed their first conference loss of the season. Vermont is close behind with six wins a row and a 6-1 overall record, while Bryant moves up to fourth at 4-3.
The Week That Was
- Vermont went a perfect 2-0 this week taking down NJIT on Thursday 60-38. On Saturday, it was a full team effort while four Catamounts scored in double digits on their way to a 20-point victory over UMBC. The Catamounts finished up their three game road trip a perfect 3-0 and remain right behind UAlbany in America East standings.
- UMBC started the week with a 71-59 victory over UAlbany while shooting 46% from the field and holding the lead for the entire contest. This was the first conference win for UMBC and head coach Candice Hill. The Retrievers finished 1-1 in the week following a loss to Vermont on Saturday.
- Bryant had a thrilling week as they took down New Hampshire at the buzzer on Thursday. Ali Brigham had 8 points and the game winning basket as time expired against New Hampshire. The Bulldogs had a balanced attack against Binghamton as Brigham was the star of the show with a dominant 29 points in the 68-54 victory on Saturday.
- UAlbany bounced back on the road against NJIT. Scoring nearly 50 points in the first half, the Great Danes were able to hold off the Highlanders in a 75-59 victory on Saturday. UAlbany finished 1-1 on the week and remain the team to beat in conference play.
- Despite a loss to Maine on Thursday, UMass Lowell returned to action on Saturday ready to battle. The River Hawks were able to rally in the second half and defeat New Hampshire 54-52 in their first victory of conference play.
Looking Ahead
- The River Hawks will travel to NJIT (3-4) on Thursday for an 11 a.m. tip off for Field Trip Day.
- Thursday New Hampshire (2-6) welcomes Maine (5-2) for a 6 p.m. matchup.
- Also on Thursday, Vermont (6-1) hosts Binghamton (3-4) while Bryant (4-3) welcomes UMBC (1-5)
- On Saturday, Maine welcomes Vermont and UMBC is at UMass Lowell. UAlbany plays at Binghamton and Bryant welcomes NJIT.
Need to Know
- The Great Danes are ranked 22nd in the College Insider Women’s Mid-Major Top 25.
- Kayla Cooper was named to the 15-player mid-season watch list for the Her Hoops Stats Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year. She currently ranks 19th nationally in field goals made.
- Vermont has won six-straight games after dropping four in a row.
- Maine’s Olivia Rockwood was named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) 'So You Want To Be A Coach' program.
- UMass Lowell’s Sydney Watkins ranks 12th nationally averaging 3.1 steals per game.
- Eva DeChent of New Hampshire ranks 20th nationally in free throws made .
America East Links
Fans will once again be able to watch every #AEHoops game this season regardless of where they live! The majority games will air on The AE on ESPN, either ESPN+ or ESPN3, in the United States. Games will also be available internationally on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the brand new America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching ‘America East Conference’ in app stores.
2024-25 Weekly Award Winners (Jan. 27)
Player of the Week
Ali Brigham – Grad., Forward, Franklin, Mass
- Averaged 18.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 blocks per game in a 2-0 week.
- Posted a career high 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 blocks during a win against Binghamton.
- Chipped in 8 points and 8 boards which included the game winning buzzer beater against New Hampshire on Thursday
- This is Brigham’s first career #AEHoops Player of the Week honor.
Rookie of the Week
Olivia Kulyk, NJIT – Fr., Guard, Edinboro, PA
- Averaged 12.0 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 71% from the floor.
- Kulyk scored 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field versus Vermont while adding three rebounds
- Came through with 14 points, shooting 5-for-8 and four rebounds against UAlbany
- She ranks 11th in the conference in scoring, first in three-point field goals made and second in three-point field goal percentage.
- This is Kulyk’s sixth #AEHoops Rookie of the Week honor this season.
Weekly Award Winners
Nov. 11 – Player of the Week: Kayla Cooper, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Olivia Kulyk, NJIT
Nov. 18 – Player of the Week: Kayla Cooper, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Allison Cannon, NJIT
Nov. 25 – Player of the Week: Kayla Cooper, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Olivia Kulyk, NJIT
Dec. 2 – Player of the Week: Eva DeChent, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Abby Misier, Binghamton
Dec. 9 – Player of the Week: Jaden Walker, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Olivia Kulyk, NJIT
Dec. 16 – Player of the Week: Kayla Cooper, UAlbany; Martina Borrellas, UAlbany
Dec. 23 – Player of the Week: Kaci Donovan, UAlbany; Delanie Hill, UAlbany
Dec. 31 – Player of the Week: Clara Gomez, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Elizabeth Lavoie, New Hampshire
Jan. 6 – Player of the Week: Olivia Kulyk, NJIT; Rookie of the Week: Olivia Kulyk, NJIT
Jan. 13 – Player of the Week: Jadyn Weltz, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Olivia Kulyk, NJIT
Jan. 20 – Player of the Week: Caroline Bornemann, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Martina Borrellas, UAlbany
Jan. 27 – Player of the Week: Ali Brigham, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Olivia Kulyk, NJIT
Follow the @AEHoopsNews on X (Formerly Twitter) account to stay up-to-date on #AEHoops news all season long.
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