Women's Basketball Opens 2012/13 with Easy Win
Vellek Scores 23, Wells 22 in Season Debut
Randolph Center, VT - The Lady Knights of Vermont Tech opened their 2012/13 basketball season today with a 44 point victory over visiting Hampshire College. The Knights held a nine point lead at halftime, but then used a 46-11 second half to make the final score 77-33.
VTC led the entirety of the game, scoring the first seven points and never looking back. However, Hampshire came into Randolph ready to fight and did so throughout the first half. The Knights used a balanced scoring attack and a pressure defense in the half to keep Hampshire at bay. Starting her second season with the Knights, Junior Ama Baker (Fitchburg, MA) had 8 of her 15 points and 12 of her 14 rebounds in the first half. She finished the game with a stellar stat line, adding 9 assists and 7 steals. Going into the second period, VTC held a 31-22 lead.
The Lady Knights took it to their opponents early and often in the second half. They showed how hard they have been working in the pre-season by using an up-tempo style to subdue Hampshire. VTC scored the first 6 points of the half, with Paige Wells (So./Orleans, VT) hitting a jump shot from the corner. Wells, a newcomer to the team this year, finished with a double-double, 22 points and 10 rebounds. After Hampshire's Hazel Wood scored on a jumper, the Knights, spurred on by Senior Guard Kelly Vellek (Burlington, VT), went on a 24-2 run. Vellek finished with a game-high 23 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 4 steals.
As the half wore on, the Knights kept running, while Hampshire began to fade. VTC showed their superior fitness, and seemed to get stronger as the game progressed. Freshman Serena Reynolds (Alburgh, VT) completed her college debut adding 10 points, 5 rebounds.
Allison Stoney led Hampshire with 16 points, 11 rebounds.
The Lady Knights begin the season 1-0, 1-0 and next travel to Boston, MA to take on non-conference opponent Fisher College on Wednesday, November 7th.
