Courtesy Vermont Sports Information
LOWELL, MA.— Vermont (23-7, 13-2 AE) shot a season-best 58.0% (29-for-50) from the floor and had four players score double figures in a 94-77 road win at UMass Lowell (12-18, 6-9 AE) on Saturday. For the third time in the last three years, the Cats have posted an undefeated road record in conference play.
COACH’S QUOTE
“Tonight, was a great bounce-back win for us,” Cioffi Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Becker said. “I thought we controlled the game from start to finish, it got a little choppy at times, but our guys did a nice job of keeping their composure to earn the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Catamounts scored the first eight points of the game thanks to a long-range jumper and two triples from Stef Smith. UML’s Ron Mitchell drained a three-pointer of his own, but Smith canned another trey and Daniel Giddens slammed home a dunk as the Cats built an 13-3 lead by the first media timeout.
Coming out of the timeout, Aaron Deloney heated up with a quick 10 points in four minutes and stretched the margin to 27-14.
Near the eight-minute media timeout, the River Hawks drew within 34-24 but it was as close as the home team would come for the rest of the night. The Cats finished the period on a 23-10 run and went into the locker room up 57-37, the most points scored in the first half this season. UVM shot 73.1% (19-for-26) from the floor and 70.0% (7-for-10) from downtown in the opening frame.
The River Hawks made a mini 7-2 run to start the second half and drew within 59-44, but the Catamounts’ depth was too much to handle. UVM kept its lead near the 20-point mark for the rest of the game.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Anthony Lamb recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He also passed former Catamount Marqus Blakely for No. 5 on the all-time scoring list with 1,880 career points.
Deloney finished the night with a career-high 17 points. He shot 7-of-9 from the field and drained a pair from long distance.
Smith matched Deloney with 17 points and made 3-of-6 attempts from behind the arc. The junior sank six free throws and logged one steal.
Ryan Davis added 16 points, one rebound, one steal, and one block off the bench.
The Class of 2020 matched last year’s graduating class, Ernie Duncan and Samuel Dingba, with 106 career wins – the most by an America East class.
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 35 wins totaling $3,500. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support, protecting Vermonters since 1828.
WHO’S NEXT
Vermont will host UAlbany for Senior Night, presented by the UVM Alumni Association, on Tuesday (March 3) in the regular season finale. The opening tip is set for 7 p.m. Tickets have officially been sold out. 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.