Dec. 2, 2001

BURLINGTON, Vt. - The University of Vermont defeated the University of Massachusetts, 69-51, in women's basketball action this evening at Patrick Gymnasium. Senior Libby Smith scored 18 points in the victory, including 15 points in the first half to improve the Catamounts to 5-1 on the season.

The Minutewomen came within four points with six minutes remaining in the first half, but three consecutive three-pointers by Smith, left UMass trailing by nine going into halftime. Junior Ebony Pegues (Columbus, Ohio) finished the half with nine points in her first start for the Minutewomen this season.

The Catamounts picked up right were they left off, extending their lead to as many as 15 in the first five minutes of the second half. Junior Nekole Smith (Ann Arbor, Mich.) kept the Minutewomen in contention with nine points in the second half for a total of 15 points in the game. Pegues finished with 13 points in 22 minutes of play, while junior Paige Harris (Rochester, Mich.) chipped in seven points for the Minutewomen.

The loss drops UMass to 1-5 on the season. The Minutewomen return to action on Friday, Dec. 7, when they travel to Arkansas-Little Rock to take on the Trojans at 7:00 p.m.