Vermont 74 Maine 53
Vermont continued to take care of business in the America East with a 21 point victory over Maine. That makes 11 wins in a row for the Cats and runs their record to 19-5 on the season. That means the game at Hartford on Saturday gives Vermont a chance to lock up their ninth straight 20 win season. The game tonight was choppy and Vermont's offense is not as fluid as it could be, but their defense is getting better and better. This game epitomizes the shift they have made in identity over the course of the season. The first time they played Maine it was an up and down game that the Cats won 90-77. It was really after that game that Vermont made a commitment to the defensive side of the ball. Kurt Steidl was tremendous tonight in shutting down one of the the top scorers in the conference in Wes Myers. Vermont continues to block shots at a high rate and that starts with Anthony Lamb. He has an uncanny ability to block shots without leaving the floor and he has clearly made a commitment to improving his defense. Lamb played a strong game tonight leading the Cats with 15 points. He added 7 rebound and 2 blocks and has broken through his brief slump. Payton Henson added 13 points and 8 rebounds and is slowly getting his rhythm back after missing time with an injury. It was another balanced team effort and another methodical victory. The focus this team is demonstrating night in and night out is fun to watch. They are taking their season one game at a time and staying grounded while in the midst of one of the best stretches in Vermont history. The crazy thing is I don't think the Cats have played their best basketball thus far and can still make improvements. This team has such a high ceiling if they can maintain the work ethic and attitude they have demonstrated thus far this season, there is no telling what they can achieve.
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