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Catamount Men Snap Slide, Top FDU 71-53

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Created on Thursday, 22 December 2011 04:24

Written by George Commo

Four Catamounts in double figures in 71-53 Win

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

HACKENSACK, N.J.  – Four Catamounts reached double figures, led by 14 points from sophomore Luke Apfeld, as the Vermont men's basketball team topped Fairleigh Dickinson 71-53 on the road on Wednesday night. The win stops a five-game losing streak for the Cats, who improve to 5-7 on the year with the win.

Vermont never trailed and led by as many as 19, as junior Brendan Bald and freshman Four McGlynn each added 13 and senior Matt Glass chipped in with 11. It was the Cats first win since they topped Siena on November 26, 64-62.

“It feels good to get back on the winning track. Our guys competed hard and we shared the basketball really well,” said Vermont head coach John Becker. “It was a good team effort tonight and everyone got to play. We have a quick turnaround and hopefully we can carry this momentum into the Towson game and continue to improve as league play approaches.”

With Vermont leading 5-4 early on, the Catamounts used a 13-2 run to take control as they would take a 35-23 lead into halftime. McGlynn, the reigning America East Rookie of the Week, netted 11 straight points in the run on three 3-pointers, as he took advantage of the 2-3 zone that Fairleigh Dickinson (1-9) was playing. Bald hit a jumper and added a pair of free throw, while Glass also hit a jumper to push UVM's lead to 28-12.

McGlynn and Glass paced the Catamounts in the opening half with 11 points each, as Vermont made 12 of its first 22 attempts and forced FDU into 13 turnovers. The Cats also benefitted from hitting five 3-pointers in the half.

In the second half eight made free throws and a Bald jumper extended Vermont's lead to 53-34 with 11:57 to go. Fairleigh Dickinson would not get closer than 13 for the rest of the contest.

All 14 of Apfeld's points came in the second half, as he finished the game 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Glass added five rebounds and a career-high four assists to his 11 points, while sophomore Brian Voelkel added game-highs for both rebounds (7) and assists (6). Classmate Sandro Carissimo netted eight points and matched a career-high for rebounds with six.

Vermont converted 23 FDU turnovers into 26 points and outrebounded the Knights 34-29. Kinu Rochford led the home team with 13 points off the bench, while Melquan Bolding added 12.

Vermont returns to action on Friday when it travels to face Towson starting at 7 p.m.

NOTES: Wednesday was only the third meeting all-time between the two teams and first since the 1981-82 season, as the Cats now hold a 2-1 edge … Vermont has now won its last six games against teams from New Jersey … The Cats have also won 17 of their last 19 against Northeast Conference opponents … Junior Ben Crenca returned to the court after missing the three previous games and finished with four points … Vermont matched a season-high for steals with 10 … Freshman Chris Santo scored his first career points in the game in his home state … Apfeld was named the America East Player of the Game.