Sophomore Belle Bramer led the Mountain Hawks in scoring with 12 points on 50% shooting. First-year Leia Edwards was the only other Lehigh player in double figures, scoring 10 points in her first career start.
Vermont had Jadyn Weltz (15), Keira Hanson (14), Nikola Priede (11), and Catherine Gilwee (10) all cross the double-digit scoring mark. Those four combined for 50 of Vermont’s 59 points.
Lehigh took a 15-11 lead after the first quarter off the back of an Alana Reddy three pointer. The game was tied with less than three minutes to go, but a surge of scoring from Bramer, junior Jessie Ozzauto, and Edwards gave Lehigh some cushion.
The Mountain Hawks hit five field goals to hold their first half lead, with Edwards leading the way with two. Both teams were scoring back-and-forth, resulting in four lead changes with six ties throughout the period. Junior Gracyn Lovette hit a free throw with a 1:34 left to give the Mountain Hawks a 28-27 advantage heading into the half.
Vermont broke out in the third quarter, shooting 53.8% from the field. Lehigh was limited to just 4-for-13 from the field in the period. They were carried by a five point quarter from Bramer, who made two layups and a free throw.
The Mountain Hawks tried to battle back in the fourth, as they shot 45.5% from the field. Despite another Reddy three and two late buckets from senior Lily Fandre, Lehigh was unable to complete the comeback.
The Mountain Hawks shot 38% from the field for the game while Catamounts hit 40% of their shots. Vermont found an advantage behind the arc, hitting 6-of-11 three-pointers while holding Lehigh to 12.5%.
Ozzauto contributed seven rebounds, which matched her career high. Along with her ten points, Edwards brought in a career-high six rebounds.
Bramer had three steals to lead the Mountain Hawks, while Lehigh assisted on 11 of its 19 made field goals.
The Mountain Hawks (1-3) conclude their three-game homestand Wednesday when they host the undefeated Drexel Dragons (3-0) at 6 p.m. from Stabler Arena.
