Vermont at UMBC 2/3/18

Vermont 81 UMBC 53

Vermont put themselves squarely in the drivers seat for the regular season title by dominating UMBC on the road. Today's game was the first game played in UMBC's new events center and I think that might have worked to the Retrievers disadvantage. UMBC was undefeated at home this season and this big showdown basically became a neutral court game. Vermont came out firing in the first half scoring 15 unanswered points after UMBC went up 4-0. The Retrievers made a run and it was a see-saw first half from there. In the second half Vermont wore the Retrievers down with an aggressive zone defense. It was the most they played zone this season and it worked to perfection. After putting UMBC on the line too much in the first half, the Retrievers did not make a foul shot in the second half. Vermont was 14-19 (74%) from the field in the second half in a master class of offensive efficiency. A big win against the team that was keeping pace with them in the race for first place. Vermont now has a three game cushion in the loss column and they are playing better basketball each game. The defense has come alive and the team is coming together as a unit. Drew Urquhart and Payton Henson dominated the game for the Cats. Drew U finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Henson just about mirrored Drew U's game with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. As the season has wore on Vermont has been running much more high low action with the bigs facilitating at the top of the key. Drew U's passing has improved exponentially and along with Henson and Rohrer the post guys accounted for 10 assists in today's game. A nice wrinkle to the offense and it has helped mitigate some of the struggles they were experiencing against the zone at the beginning of the season. Cam Ward and Stef Smith played well in extended minutes due to significant foul trouble. A big shout out to Iron Man Cam for breaking the consecutive games played record with his 130th straight game today. That is an incredible accomplishment and it speaks to Ward's toughness. Vermont now takes their 12 game win streak to SEFCU arena for a showdown with Albany on Thursday night. The game at Albany is the toughest of the conference schedule each season. It will be another great battle in the best rivalry in the America East.