America East Semifinal 03/06/21

 Hartford 71 Vermont 65

There will be a new champion in the America East after Hartford rode hot shooting into their second consecutive final. With Lowell picking off UMBC, the Hawks will host the title game next weekend. Traci Carter and Austin Williams dominated the game from start to finish with their energy and aggressiveness. Williams finished with 24 and 9 rebounds and Traci Carter dominated the second half, finishing with 23 points. Hartford executed their game plan perfectly and made all the tough shots. The Hawks shot 63% for the game and made 10-19 (53%) from three. They played tough perimeter defense and Vermont went 1-9 from three in the second half. The Hartford players were laser focused and didn't even do any crazy celebration after the game as if they expected to get back to the finals. Guess the universe is balancing the ledger so to speak after the Hawks worked so hard to get a shot at the tourney last year before having it ripped away. Vermont struggled to get into a rhythm on offense and their defensive rotations got out of whack several times. Ryan Davis scored 16 to lead the Cats and Ben Shungu added 14 points and 6 assists. Stef Smith really struggled, finishing  4-15 from the floor and 1-8 from three. The struggles from the perimeter reared their ugly head and Vermont went through stretches where Hartford just out worked them. Maybe it was the layoff or maybe it was the stress of a long season but the Cats just didn't have the spark in today's game. No postseason for the first time in a long time and Vermont heads into the offseason on a tough note after a challenging season. This is going to be a interesting offseason. Extra years of eligibility and changing transfer rules are going to make the recruiting landscape completely different. Also, now is the time that the stress of the season and the sacrifices are really going to set in. Players and coaches across the country experienced a season like no other and reflecting on that is going to be tough. It is also Becker watch time in Catamount country as the coaching carousel around the country will be in full swing. I will wrap up the season in more detail sometime next week but want to take this opportunity to thank the Vermont program for their hard work and sacrifice this season. I can't imagine some of the hardships they had to endure to make this season happen. As a fan I got to enjoy the fruits of the hard labor and am incredibly proud of what this team was able to accomplish this season. It wasn't the result anyone wanted but I am thankful for the basketball that was able to be played this year. Everyone should be proud of this Catamount team. Overcoming the pandemic and staying safe and healthy while playing the game they love is victory enough. Thank you.