Courtesy Vermont Sports Information
BURLINGTON –– Vermont’s (20-6, 10-1 AE) depth was on display again as nine different players entered the scoring column in a 74-50 win over twin state rival New Hampshire (11-12, 4-6 AE) on Wednesday night. The Catamounts extended their winning streak to 10 games and recorded their 12th consecutive 20-win season.
COACH’S QUOTE
“It was a great win tonight and to get to 20 wins again for the 12th straight year is special,” Cioffi Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Becker said. “It’s an incredible feat that we can’t take for granted. It’s a a goal of every team to get to 20 wins and even more impressive with the non-conference schedule that we’ve played. Now, the next goal is to try to win the regular season title.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wildcats hit seven of their first 10 field goal attempts and jumped out to a 17-9 lead seven minutes into the game.
The Green and Gold chipped away at the margin and grabbed a 21-19 lead near the 10-minute mark after Ryan Davis completed an old-fashioned three-point play.
The twin state rivals went three minutes without a point but UVM outscored UNH 15-9 and went into the locker room leading 34-28.
To open the second half, Vermont padded the advantage to double digits with a 10-2 surge. Near the midway point of the frame, the Cats’ lead grew to as large as a 20-point margin.
In the final nine minutes, UVM kept the gap between UNH to 20 points or greater.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Anthony Lamb notched his fifth double-double of the season and first of conference play with 12 points and 13 rebounds. He swatted away three shots and handed out two assists.
Ben Shungu scored double figures for the third time in the last five games with 12 points. The South Burlington native came close to a double-double with six boards.
Davis provided a spark off the bench with a team-high 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. The sophomore big man has logged fourth straight games with at least 10 points and seven out of his last nine overall.
The Catamounts are one of six schools to record at least 12 straight 20-win campaigns – Duke, Gonzaga, Louisville, Kansas, and St. Mary’s.
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 26 wins totaling $2,600. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support, protecting Vermonters since 1828.
WHO’S NEXT
Vermont will wrap up a brief two-game homestand against Binghamton on Saturday (Feb. 15). The opening tip is set for 2 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday. Fans can catch all of the action on ESPN3 and the ESPN app by logging in with your television provider. 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.