Imagine a powerhouse performance on the court that not only secures a thrilling victory but also showcases the sheer talent and determination of a standout player—what if I told you this game was all about heart, hustle, and a remarkable double-double? That's exactly what unfolded as the University of Vermont's women's basketball team triumphed over Sacred Heart, powered by senior Nikola Priede's unforgettable 25-point, 10-rebound outing. But here's where it gets intriguing: how did one player's dominance turn a potential road struggle into a decisive win? Let's dive into the details of this exciting matchup and uncover the plays that made it unforgettable.
FINAL SCORE: Vermont 63, Sacred Heart 46
FAIRFIELD, CONN. – In a display of skill and resilience, senior Nikola Priede (check out her profile at https://uvmathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/nikola-priede/10086) achieved her fourth double-double of the season, propelling Vermont (9–3, 0–0 AE) to a convincing defeat of Sacred Heart (2-7, 0-0 MAAC) on Sunday afternoon at the William H. Pitt Athletic and Convocation Center. For those new to basketball lingo, a double-double simply means a player racks up double digits in two key statistical categories, like points and rebounds—it's a rare feat that highlights versatility and endurance on the court.
RELATED LINKS
Dive deeper with the Box Score (available here: https://uvmathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2025-26/sacred-heart/boxscore/6529) to see all the stats and highlights.
COACH'S QUOTE
Vermont's head coach, Alisa Kresge (learn more about her at https://uvmathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/alisa-kresge/2812), reflected on the hard-earned success: 'Securing wins away from home is always a challenge, and today we managed to pull it off. Rebounding was crucial in this game, and we succeeded in cutting down their second-chance opportunities while dominating the boards. Now, we're gearing up for another challenging away contest with hardly any time to recover.' And this is the part most people miss—the emphasis on rebounding as a game-changer might surprise some fans used to flashy shots, but in basketball, those gritty, under-the-rim battles often decide outcomes.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Early on, during the first timeout, Vermont was slightly behind at 10-8 after junior Naylce Dudley nailed a three-point shot for Sacred Heart, setting a tense tone.
The Catamounts responded fiercely, rattling off seven consecutive points to close out the opening quarter, with five of those coming from senior Keira Hanson (explore her stats at https://uvmathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/keira-hanson/10082). Hanson sealed the period with a dramatic buzzer-beating three-pointer, swinging the momentum to give Vermont a 17-12 advantage.
Vermont kicked off the second quarter with a smooth spin-and-layup by sophomore Savanna Creal (get to know her at https://uvmathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/savanna-creal/11767), quickly followed by a close-range jumper from senior Nikola Priede (her profile is here: https://uvmathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/nikola-priede/10086), extending the lead to 21-12 with 7:19 remaining in the half.
The teams exchanged baskets as the second quarter wound down, featuring a standout three-pointer from senior Jadyn Weltz (check her out at https://uvmathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jadyn-weltz/11781) at the 2:48 mark, countered by a layup from Sacred Heart's first-year player Sophie Nascimento.
In the third quarter, Priede erupted for 12 points, with her last basket of the period—a three-point play set up by a Weltz assist—bolstering Vermont's lead to 45-34 heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter opened with Priede sinking a fadeaway shot near the basket, soon after a corner three-pointer from Weltz, assisted by Priede herself, pushing the score to 50-36 in Vermont's favor.
Vermont then embarked on an impressive 10-0 scoring spree, ignited by a fast-break layup from junior Malia Lenz (visit her page at https://uvmathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/malia-lenz/10091) and concluding with a layup by Sacred Heart's junior Emma Kirby.
Vermont capped off their scoring with a corner three by first-year Lia Hanson (learn about her at https://uvmathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/lia-hanson/11777).
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Priede stood out as the top performer for the Catamounts, amassing 25 points and snagging 10 rebounds— a testament to her all-around impact.
Hanson impressed from long range, going 3-for-4 on three-pointers to tally 17 points and secure four rebounds.
Weltz contributed 10 points and led the team with nine assists, showcasing her playmaking prowess.
Overall, Vermont connected on 24 of 53 field goal attempts, achieving a solid 45.3% shooting percentage.
The Catamounts excelled from downtown, sinking 6 out of 12 threes for an efficient 50% clip.
Vermont dished out 28 assists in total, dwarfing Sacred Heart's eight, emphasizing their teamwork and ball movement.
And here's a controversial twist: some basketball purists argue that relying heavily on three-point shooting, like Vermont's 50% success rate, can be a risky strategy that leaves teams vulnerable inside, while others swear by it as the modern key to high-scoring games. What do you think—does stretching the floor outweigh the need for inside dominance?
Thanks to this victory, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group (visit their site at https://www.vermontmutual.com/) will contribute $100 to the Lund Family Center (more info at https://lundvt.org/) via their Cat's Win, Community Win's program (details here: https://www.vermontmutual.com/press-releases/vermont-mutual-donates-20000-to-vermont-childrens-trust-foundation/). Since kicking off their Charitable Giving Fund back in 2014, Vermont Mutual has generously given away over $5 million, highlighting how sports can drive positive community impact.
UP NEXT
The Catamounts are set to hit the road again, taking on Holy Cross and their Crusaders squad on Tuesday, December 16th, at Hart Center Arena. Game time is 10:30 a.m., with coverage on ESPN+ (watch live at https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/43ab85a6-6301-4bdb-abea-9c70c4a2d8b9/patriot-league#bucketId=29461&sourceCollection=BrowsebyConference) and radio via the Varsity Network App (tune in here: https://thevarsitynetwork.com/audioapplink/source/oas-378/content/uvm:allaccess-Live-4741), where Ryan Zimmerman will handle the call.
What are your thoughts on this matchup? Do you agree that Priede's double-double was the star of the show, or do you see room for debate on Vermont's overall strategy? Share your opinions in the comments below—we'd love to hear from you!
