UMBC 66 Vermont 55
No birthday present for me.
UMBC used tough physical defense to dominate from start to finish, earning a share of the regular season title and home court throughout the America East playoffs. I know it is cliche but as I mentioned in my write up yesterday, making shots is the key to beating UMBC. The Retrievers want the game to be a tough, grind it out battle in the 60s. Tonight they got the game they wanted as Vermont struggled to make shots, finishing 4-22 from three. Vermont couldn't find a rhythm as they battled through early turnovers and foul trouble. All the credit goes to a very well executed game plan by UMBC. Vermont's defense was strong as well but they put UMBC at the foul line too many times. A split series is what you would expect from the two top teams in a rivalry that has been a dead heat for the last four seasons. Ryan Davis battled through foul trouble and finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Individual accolades are never the goal of the Vermont program but Davis likely locked up the player of the year award. A tremendous regular season from a player who matured ahead of schedule this season. Justin Mazzulla ended up with 12 points and 6 rebounds for the Cats with much of that production during the last two minutes as the teams traded free throws. It was a struggle for Vermont all night and it looked as though their legs really gave way in the second half with every shot coming up short. Also Vermont's depth was completely neutralized in this series. The second unit was shaky on defense and they did not provide the scoring boost that they have at times this season. Becker had a hard time finding contributors outside the starting five. Meanwhile, UMBC got great production from their bench and were far more balanced. Now Vermont has a long layoff before hosting the semifinals on March 6th. They await the winner of the quarterfinal pod in what will be a very strange and unpredictable playoff format. In each of the last two seasons Vermont has used a late season loss to UMBC as motivation for a playoff run and they are set up to do the same this season. Nothing better than basketball in March.
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