Men’s Hoops: UVM Routs Maine Behind Two 20-Point Efforts

Posted on by George Commo

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

BURLINGTON –– Redshirt senior Ernie Duncan poured in a game-high 26 points and junior Anthony Lamb added 24 points as Vermont earned an 86-63 America East win against Maine on Wednesday as a part of National Life Night. The Catamounts claimed their third straight win, improved to 18-5 on the year, and stand atop the league standings with an 8-1 record. The Black Bears fall to 5-18 overall and 3-6 in conference play.

COACH’S QUOTE
“Offensively, the first half was probably as good as we’ve played all year,” Cioffi Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Becker said. “The second half was really good on both sides of the ball. I thought we battled and some guys showed improvement. The offense really came to life tonight which was good to see.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
Maine’s Isaiah White (21 points) sank a high-arching jumper for the first points of the game but Vermont took off from there. The Catamounts mounted a 15-2 run in the first four minutes and sank four three-pointers in the process.
The Black Bears kept the margin within single digits until the 11:50 mark when the Green and Gold went on another big run. Leading 23-15, UVM outscored Maine 15-5 in a 10-minute stretch for a 38-20 advantage with 5:45 left in the period.
The Cats buried 11 triples in the opening frame and went into the break with a 49-33 lead.
The conference foes trades baskets for most of the second half as the Green and Gold steadily pushed the margin to a 28-point deficit with seven minutes remaining in the game.
UVM’s defense kept Maine at bay for the rest of the game as the Black Bears did not whittle to deficit any smaller than 20 points.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The Catamounts used a balanced scoring attack as 10 different players found the bottom of the net.
Vermont made a season-high 14 attempts from behind the three-point arc.
Duncan shot 7-of-8 for the night including 6-of-7 from long range. He handed out two assists and recorded a steal.
Lamb nearly matched Duncan on 8-of-9 shooting and gathered seven boards. He also dished out two assists and tallied a pair of steals.
Stef Smith and Isaiah Moll logged nine points apiece. The duo combined for five three-pointers, six rebounds, and three assists.
UVM extended its winning streak against Maine to 16 games – the longest active streak against a conference opponent.
The Cats are 18-5 for the third consecutive season and fifth time in school history.
With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Make-A-Wish Vermont; bringing this year’s total to 26 wins and $2,600.
WHO’S NEXT
Vermont will continue its three-game homestand against rival UAlbany on Saturday (Feb. 9). The opening tip is set for 2 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday. All of the action can be seen on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app by logging in with your television provider. Fans can also listen to the game on 101.3 The Game and 1013TheGame.com with Jake Marsh on the call.