Hanover, NH - The Vermont State University Lyndon women's basketball team squared off against an NCAA Division I opponent for the first time since rejoining Division III in 2008 on Sunday afternoon.  The Hornets traveled to Dartmouth College, where the Big Green downed the Hornets, 77-35.  Dartmouth improved to 6-7 on the season while Lyndon fell to 4-8.

Dartmouth gained control right from the onset.  After the Big Green's Mia Curtis scored the first basket of the game, Lyndon's Saleena Porter (St. Johnsbury, VT) answered on the next Hornet possession to tie the game at 2-2.  That would be Lyndon's only basket of the opening quarter, as Dartmouth went on a 21-0 run over the final 8:24 of the quarter to seize control of the contest.

The Hornets fared much better in the second quarter.  Kadienne Whitcomb (West Burke, VT)connected on a three-pointer to open the quarter and end the Dartmouth run.  Lyndon cut the Dartmouth lead to 15 following a Riann Fortin (Newport, VT) three-pointer at the 4:37 mark.  That would be as close as the Hornets would get, as Dartmouth built their lead back to 44-22 by halftime.

Dartmouth continued to pull away in the second half, cruising to the victory.

Cate MacDonald and Sierra Carson scored nine points apiece to pace Dartmouth, as all 14 Big Green players scored in the contest.  MacDonald grabbed six rebounds and Nina Minicozzi and Clare Meyer dished out three assists each.  Fortin scored nine points to lead Lyndon.  Porter grabbed six boards.

The Hornets will travel to SUNY Polytechnic Institute for a North Atlantic Conference crossover game on Friday.  tip-off in Utica is scheduled for 6:00 pm.