UVM women's basketball reaches WNIT quarterfinals for first time in 22 years

Vermont women's basketball will play in April.

The Catamounts staved off Colgate for a 65-55 victory in the Super 16 round of the WNIT in front of 1,232 at Patrick Gym on Friday night, sealing the program's first quarterfinal appearance in 22 years.

Anna Olson totaled 14 points and eight rebounds, plus a key basket late in regulation in seal the win, while Andjela Matic (13 points), Emma Utterback (12 points) and Keira Hanson (11 points) also reached double figures for Vermont (24-11), which shot 27 of 53 from the field.

Utterback and Delaney Richason, Vermont's fifth-year seniors, will lead the Catamounts into their home state of Indiana for a Great Eight matchup at Purdue. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Monday, April 1.

Monday night:Vermont women's basketball tops Niagara to advance to WNIT's Super 16

The Catamounts, who improved to 5-0 all-time at home in the WNIT, overcame a 16-11 first-quarter deficit with a 16-4 edge in the second frame. During the surge, Vermont held Colgate to 1 of 11 from the floor and then 5 of 14 shooting in the third quarter.

The Catamounts built a 53-42 advantage in the first minute of the fourth on a Utterback jumper. Two minutes later, Richason returned to the margin to 11 points on a pair of foul shots.

Then Colgate uncorked a 9-2 spurt highlighted by Tiasia McMillian's layup to cut the deficit to 59-55 with 2:01 to go. On Vermont's next possession, Olson, who finished 7 of 11 from the floor, converted inside for two while Colgate missed a 3-pointer on the other end.

Matic and Bella Vito each went 2-for-2 at the charity stripe in the final 35 seconds to secure the Vermont triumph.

The Catamounts' game at Purdue will be streamed on the B1G+.

Contact Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.