Men’s Hoops: Lamb Scores 30, But Catamounts Fall 61-55 at Virginia

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Anthony Lamb drained a career-high seven three pointers, but Vermont suffered a 61-55 loss to seventh-ranked Virginia. The loss at John Paul Jones Arena Tuesday night is UVM’s first of the season.

COACH’S QUOTE
“We’re right there nationally like we’ve felt and we know,” said Cioffi Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Becker. “The guys played so hard and tough tonight and did everything we asked of them. We kept them off the glass, made threes, and Anthony Lamb was tremendous. We executed the game plan and played our hearts out, but sometimes you have to tip your hat to the other team. I’m really excited for the rest of the season.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Catamounts took off on a 7-0 run in the first three minutes on points by Lamb, Stef Smith, and Daniel Giddens. However, Virginia answered with an 11-0 run to lead by four at the midway point of the first half. Mamadi Diakite led the Cavaliers’ run with five points.
Diakite continued to drive the Virginia offense as the only player to reach 10 points in the opening frame. Ryan Davis drilled a three-pointer to end the run, but the Cavs’ lead stretched to as high as 10 points with 2:47 to go in the half. Lamb poured in a three-pointer at the buzzer for a 24-18 deficit at the break.
Lamb led a Vermont surge in the second half when he cashed four treys before the midway point of the second half. The captain tallied 11 points in a two-minute span to put Vermont up 34-31 with 12:18 left in regulation.
Vermont led 40-36 with 9:40 left on another three-pointer by Lamb. Everett Duncan drilled a triple a minute later, but Virginia’s Kihei Clark answered with a three of his own. The Catamounts led by one with 5:25 left, but the Cavaliers went on a 9-0 run to put the game out of reach.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Lamb tallied a season-high 30 points on 10-of-21 shooting. The senior was 7-of-14 from behind the arc with six of his triples coming in the second half. Lamb is one of only 11 players to score 30 points against a Tony Bennett coached Virginia team.
Smith was also in double-figures with 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting. The guard shot 3-for-10 from downtown and matched a career-high with six assists.
Giddens led the Catamounts with seven rebounds. Six of his boards came from clearing out the defensive glass.

UP NEXT
Vermont continues the Air Force Reserve Basketball Hall of Fame Tip Off at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday (Nov. 23) in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Catamounts will face Central Connecticut State in a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. Fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.com. Vermont’s non-conference game can be streamed on ESPN3. Fans can also listen live on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College, on 101.3 The Game or online at Catamounts All-Access with Jake Marsh on the call.