Vermont women's basketball stuns Purdue in WNIT Great Eight

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - So much attention was fixated on the talented underclassmen players from Purdue that Vermont somehow got lost in the Tippecanoe County fog.

The Catamounts were facing a Purdue squad who just over 24 hours ago watched its men's side punch its first ticket to the Final Four since 1980.

Vermont came out the more physical team and barnstormed the Boilermakers with a dominant and controlling second half.

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Fifth-year senior Emma Utterback, in her Indiana homecoming, tallied 20 points and six assists, while sophomore Keira Hanson struck for 17 points including 3-of-4 from 3-point range as Vermont stunned Purdue 67-59 in the WNIT Great 8 on Monday night.

"At this point in the season it's April now it's not even March so we've done so much prep," Hanson said. "At this point it's really just confidence. It's really a mental battle and coming in with these girls we really lift each other up. And in a stadium like that it gives us a lot of energy whether the crowd is for us or not. It just made for all the right factors for a fun night."

Bella Vita added a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds and Anna Olson also chipped in 14 points for the Catamounts, who outscored Purdue by 14 points in the second half.

It was Vermont's first win over a Big Ten school since the Catamounts defeated Wisconsin in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

AbbeyEllis paced Purdue (15-19) with 16 points, freshman Rashunda Jones scored 12 points and senior Jeanae Terry added 11 points.

Vermont (25-11) advances to the WNIT semifinals, or Fab 4, for the first time in program history. The Catamounts will host St. Louis on Wednesday night at Patrick Gym. Tip-off is set for 6.

"Our group stays true to who they are," Vermont coach Alissa Kresge said. "They work hard, they believe in each other and they buy into our system."

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Vermont was battle tested with games against North Carolina and Providence. The Catamounts took the Tar Heels to the final possession for a 54-51 loss in the Gulf Coast Showcase on Nov. 24.

"We had a little experience which helped us understand what we were walking into," Kresge said.

The Catamounts swarmed Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year Mary Ashley Stevenson. The double teams by Olson and Delaney Richason held Stevenson to 1-of-8 shooting and seven points.

"Our coaching staff did a really good job of scouting and trying to figure out what we were willing to give up and what do we have to take away," Kresge said. "Our players did an unbelievable job of buying in and understanding the game plan. Bella Vito and Delaney (Richason) IQ was a huge piece of our defense."

Hanson is building a legacy in the Green Mountain State before being born and raised 2,770 miles northwest in Issaquah, Washington. She is averaging 12.1 points per game over her last 23 games and is shooting 42.6% this season.

"I think it's really the coaching staff and the girls on my visit that made the difference," Hanson said.

Kresge celebrated her 39th birthday on Monday night with a win and a chance at history for the Catamounts who last played Purdue on Nov. 23, 1985. A game the Catamounts lost 75-47.

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Now Vermont continues its March Madness dance into April in the WNIT Fab Four.

"It was the best birthday ever," Kresge said. "Just watching these young women that I care about play with such confidence, believing in each other and finding a way to win is just incredible. I'm thankful for this birthday gift."

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached atehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.