UAlbany women's basketball readying for conference rival Vermont

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The University at Albany women's basketball team had no time to waste after Sunday's grueling road trip to sixth-ranked LSU. The Great Danes had to turn right around and prepare for the start of America East play, which begins Thursday.

And this is no ordinary conference game that awaits UAlbany; rival Vermont is making the trip to the Broadview Center.

The Danes were swept by the Catamounts in three games a season ago. The third meeting - while closest in margin - was arguably the most gut-wrenching, as UAlbany suffered a 50-46 loss at home in the semifinals of the America East Tournament.

This Vermont team isn't quite as potent after losing star guard Emma Utterback. The Catamounts sit at just 5-9 on the season, but they do have a win against Missouri out of the Southeastern Conference on their resume, so UAlbany knows better than to overlook this squad.

UAlbany head coach Colleen Mullen knows her team is geared up for the opportunity to square off against an opponent they don't care much for, but she also recognizes they can't get too amped up.

"We know that we have to show up and outperform Vermont," said Mullen. "I know that [the players] are really excited. And I know Kayla [Cooper] is really excited. I wanna keep her calmed down; she gets really hyped in these games."

This will be Cooper's tenth game against Vermont in her career. She acknowledged her personal stake in the matchup, but is also trying to ensure she and her teammates don't give more weight to Vermont than other teams.

"What will help us is if we look at this game as if it's just the next one," said Cooper. "It's really important that we get up for every game, no matter who the opponent is. For me, personally, it'll be a little emotional, but I gotta look at it as if it's any other game."

As UAlbany progresses through conference play, Mullen hopes that mentality persists.

"The narrative that we're talking about is how we approach every game; not just the top-level teams, but every game, 'cause then we have to turn around and play on the road against a really tough team in UMass Lowell."

Opening tip-off Thursday from Broadview Center is set for 7:00 p.m. Tune into NEWS10 at 10:00 on FOX and 11:00 on ABC for highlights.