Women's Basketball

Women’s #AEHoops Week 9: Vermont and Bryant Start League Play 2-0

BOSTON –  Two games into conference play and just three teams remain undefeated as Vermont and Bryant both went 2-0, while Binghamton finished 1-0.

The Week That Was
  • Vermont started conference playing with matching 72-56 victories at UAlbany and home against New Hampshire. The defending champions led by as much as 22 against the Great Danes while Nikola Priede went off for 35 points against UNH.
  • Bryant used a strong defensive effort to shut down UNH in its opener 45-31 and followed it up with an 82-73 victory over Maine on Saturday as five players scored in double figures..
  • Binghamton is 1-0 in league play despite trailing by 15 points with 13 minutes left in regulation. The Bearcats outscored NJIT 15-8 over the final four minutes of regulation, led by 23 points from Kendall Bennett.
  • Maine edged UMass Lowell on the road in its lone victory, getting 37 points from Adrianna Smith, while NJIT received 39 points from Alejandra Zuniga with a conference-opening win over UMBC.
  • Delanie Hill also went over 30 points last week, putting up 33 in a loss to UAlbany and then scoring 19 in a win over UMass Lowell.
                                                                                                            
Looking Ahead
  • On Thursday, 2-0 Vermont travels to 1-0 Binghamton, while Bryant looks to stay perfect against UMass Lowell. UNH hosts NJIT while Maine welcomes UMBC.
  • On Saturday, NJIT is at Maine, while UMBC is at New Hampshire. Binghamton heads to UMass Lowell, while Bryant hosts UAlbany.
  • All games will air on ESPN+.

 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.
 
2025-26 Weekly Award Winners (Jan. 5)
Player of the Week
Nikola Priede, Vermont – Sr., Forward, Riga, Latvia
  • Averaged 25.0 points 4.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 74% shooting in a 2-0 week.
  • Had a career-high 35 points on 16-for-20 shooting with four rebounds and one block in a win over New Hampshire.
  • Also named to USBWA National Team of the Week after leading team to a pair of 16-point wins.
  • This is Priede’s first #AEHoops Player of the Week of her career.
 
Rookie of the Week
Izzy Adams, Bryant – Fr., Guard, Walpole, Mass.
  • Averaged 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in a 2-0 week.
  • Had 14 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals in an 82-73 victory over Maine.
  • Finished with 10 points and five boards in a 45-31 win over New Hampshire.
  • This is Adams’ first #AEHoops Rookie of the Week honor.

Weekly Award Winners
Nov. 11 – Player of the Week: Alejandra Zuniga, NJIT; Rookie of the Week: Amaya Stewart, UAlbany
Nov. 17 – Player of the Week: Maddie Rice, UMass Lowell; Rookie of the Week: Heidi Williams, UMBC
Nov. 24 – Co-Player of the Week: Nia Scott, Bryant; Co-Player of the Week: Bella Pucci, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Amaya Stewart, UAlbany
Dec. 1 - Player of the Week: Adrianna Amith, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Kennedy Austin, UMBC
Dec. 8 - Player of the Week: Ava Locklear, NJIT; Rookie of the Week: Kennedy Austin, UMBC
Dec. 15 - Player of the Week: Mia Mancini, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Carletta Bennett, Binghamton
Dec. 22- Co-Player of the Week: Eva DeChent, New Hampshire, Co-Player of the Week: Adrianna Amith, Maine Rookie of the Week: Ashley Redd, Binghamton
Dec. 31 – Player of the Week: Kendall Bennett, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Heidi Williams, UMBC
Jan. 5 – Player of the Week: Nikola Priede, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Izzy Adams, Bryant
 
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