The Cardiac Carts strike again!
Vermont took their very first lead of the game at 71-70 and locked defensively to make it count, stunning Brown in the second half. Vermont started sluggish, looking like a team coming off a long layoff, and Brown couldn't miss. The Bears took a 17 point lead at at 42-25 with 3:30 left in the first half and things were looking grim for the Cats. Then Vermont went on a 9-0 run heading into the locker room and gave themselves new life. The second half was back and forth to start with but the Cats struggled to get over the hump. Brown pushed the lead back up to 10 with 14 minutes left. Vermont then went on a 16-6 run to tie things up at 61. Back and forth the teams went and then with 1:21 left TJ Long (who else) knocked down a three to put the Cats ahead 71-70. That lead held with tough defense from both sides to finish out the game. One huge plus from this game was the free throw shooting showed up big. After a disappointing effort last time out the Cats went 14-16 from the line to help secure the victory. They also took excellent care of the ball with only 4 turnovers. With the perimeter shooting struggling Vermont did a nice job getting shots at the rim, outscoring the Bears 32-26 in the paint. It would be nice not to have to sweat it out in every game but the Cats certainly have gained valuable experience with all of the tight, hard fought contests they have played in the non-conference. Honestly they manage to play almost every type of game (blowout win, blowout loss, buzzer beater win, buzzer beater loss, etc.) during this stretch and at the very least they will be ready for anything during conference play.
Matt Veretto led the Cats with 16 points and what was most impressive was that he did so without hitting a single three pointer. He looked great taking advantage of mismatches and looking for his shot going to the rim. That is major growth for Veretto who has predominantly functioned as a shooter in a Catamount uniform. Ileri Ayo-Faleye was massive in the second half scoring 11 points and once again challenging every shot at the rim. Brown went up 68-63 late and Ayo-Faleye responded with a quick 5-0 run to tie things up. He has done a great job picking his spots from the three point line. TJ Hurley also had a huge second half with 10 points and played a team high 28 minutes. TJ Long struggled on both sides of the ball for much of the game but gutted it out and once again hit the big shot late. Long finished with 11 points and 5 rebounds and continues to hit big shots when the Cats need a bucket. There were two big time unsung hero performances in this one with Sam Alamutu and Jace Roquemore giving the Cats a huge lift off the bench. Alamutu brought energy and is looking for his offense more and more. He scored 5 points in only 12 minutes but each play he made seemed like a big moment. Roquemore was a huge difference maker, guarding Brown's leading scorer and barely letting him touch the ball in the second half. He scored 6 points in 17 minutes and went 4-4 from the line, really stabilizing the Cats in the second half. Nick Fiorillo led the bench squad with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. He hit a big three that really energized the Cats with about 8 minutes to go in the game.
A strong non-conference performance from the Cats and now it is time to make it count with the conference schedule beginning this weekend. The Cats proved themselves as the favorites but face some stiff competition in what looks like a tough, competitive conference this season. Lowell has battled injuries and looks very tough. Bryant has found a new identity as a tough defensive team. Maine, Binghamton, and New Hampshire have been tough and competitive in the non-conference as well. The Cats schedule is odd to start with three straight home games followed by a tough three game road stretch. Can't wait for Saturday's game in what should be a great atmosphere at Patrick.
