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

Andjela Matic set a career-high with 19 points and Keira Hanson sank a couple of key baskets down the stretch as the Vermont women's basketball outlasted Niagara 69-63 in the second round of the WNIT at Patrick Gym on Monday night.

The Catamounts, in the WNIT for the first time since 2008, advance to the Super 16 for the second time in program history and will host Colgate on Friday night at 6. The Catamounts are a perfect 4-0 at home in the WNIT.

Matic, who also established a career-best with eight rebounds, finished with four 3s and went 7-for-8 at the foul line to guide Vermont (23-11).

Emma Utterback (17 points, three assists, two steals), Hanson (12 points, two steals, two blocks), Bella Vito (eight points, six rebounds) and Anna Olson (eight rebounds, seven assists) also contributed for the Catamounts.

Hanson's mid-range jumper with 5:25 left in regulation gave Vermont a 54-52. Hanson also nailed a 3-pointer with 3:39 to go before Matic sank four free throws in the final 10 seconds to seal the Vermont triumph.

Vermont held Niagara to 31.7% shooting and forced 23 Purple Eagle turnovers. Vermont also went 23 of 32 from the foul line for its most made free throws in a game this season.

Angel Parker's 22 points and Aaliyah Parker's 12 points paced Niagara (21-14).

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