Courtesy Vermont Sports Information
BURLINGTON –– The UVM men’s basketball team honored its four seniors with a 85-62 win over conference rival UAlbany on Tuesday night. The Class of 2020 set the America East record with their 107th career victory.
COACH’S QUOTE
“What a special evening tonight was from start to finish,” said Cioffi Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Becker. “I want to thank everyone involved in making tonight happen. I’d like to thank the University of Albany, Will Brown, and UAlbany’s team for helping to make this special moment for Josh. What an incredible senior class – seven guys – who are really important to me and this program. Thanks to our fans, it was an unbelievable environment and made it really special for everyone down on the court.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
After UAlbany won the tip and scored the first bucket of the game, Josh Speidel tied the game with a layup of his own – his first points as a college basketball player. Speidel’s layup was assisted by his former AAU teammate Everett Duncan.
The conference foes went back-and-forth in the first eight minutes, but the Catamounts extended their lead to 17-12 by the 12-minute media timeout after Aaron Deloney hit a tough runner in the lane and Bailey Patella tipped in an offensive rebound.
The Great Danes trimmed the margin to 17-15, but the Cats used a 19-7 run over the last 10 minutes to pull ahead 39-22 by the break.
UAlbany used the long ball to climb back into the game with a 12-6 spree, including a pair of triples from Antonio Rizzuto, and drew within 45-34.
The Green and Gold outscored the Purple and Gold 19-10 in the following three minutes and built its largest lead of the game, 61-41, with 12:46 left to play.
With 1:10 left, Albany native Isaiah Powell drilled a three-pointer for the Cats’ final basket, as well as the largest lead of the night.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Duncan paced the offense with a career-high 22 points. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from long range, which was also a career best. The redshirt senior gathered five rebounds and recorded a block.
Anthony Lamb tallied double figures with 15 points. The 6-6 forward pulled down four rebounds, dished out four assists, and swatted away two shots.
Stef Smith added 14 points off the bench on 5-of-10 shooting. The junior registered a season-high seven rebounds
Before the game, UVM honored its four seniors with a Senior Night ceremony, presented by the UVM Alumni Association. The Class of 2020 includes Everett Duncan, Daniel Giddens, Anthony Lamb, and Josh Speidel.
With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to a Vermont charity, bringing the 2020 total to 38 wins totaling $3,800. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support, protecting Vermonters since 1828.
WHO’S NEXT
Top-seeded Vermont will host eighth-seeded Maine in the quarterfinal round of the America East Tournament on Saturday (March 7). The opening tip is set for 7 p.m. Ticket sales for the general public will begin on Wednesday (March 4) at 1 p.m. in-person at the Patrick Gym Box Office and online at UVMathletics.com/Tickets. Phone orders will not be taken until all in-person customers have been assisted.
TICKET PRICES
Courtside: $30
Padded Reserve: $20
Reserved: $18
Reserved Youth (12 and under): $15
UVM Students: Free
All of the action will be streamed on ESPN+ and ESPN app with a paid subscription. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+ with a paid subscription. 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. The first 1,500 fans will receive a free t-shirt courtesy of Vermont Mutual Insurance.