This is why college basketball is the best. What a incredible game.
Vermont overcame several very uncharacteristic mental errors down the stretch of regulation and pulled out a gutsy win in overtime. The game was back and forth throughout and lived up to the billing of the two top teams and bitter America East rivals in an early season conference battle. Defenses were locked in, physical play was par for the course, and every run had a equal response. With Lowell's trademark three point defense stifling the Cats, Vermont turned to a flurry of backdoor cuts on the offensive end. It looked as though the Cats had taken a stranglehold on the game at 60-53 with 2:36 left. Then the wheels fell off with mental errors left and right. A travel on an inbound, a fouled three point shooter, an ill advised three, and giving up a offensive rebound on a free throw. Phew. That was rough. The Cats survived and with shotmaking and defense, pulled out the huge road win. Vermont's defense was incredible throughout, holding the potent Lowell offense to 37% shooting, forcing 16 turnovers, and challenging everything at the rim. A big time statement from this group that they are ready and up to the challenge of conference play.
The MVP, as he has been for the last few weeks, was Ileri Ayo-Faleye. Impacting the game on both ends of the floor and coming up with big play after big play. Career highs across the board with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, and big free throws down the stretch to boot. It felt like every one of his buckets, blocks, and rebounds were big. The block of the Max Brooks dunk in overtime was masterful. He has just exploded over the last few weeks and it has been his versatility that has impressed the most. He is making an impact in just about every aspect of the game. Incredible. Shamir Bogues returned to the starting lineup and reminded everybody how great he can be when healthy. He led the Cats with 19 points and added 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. In the second half it felt like there was a stretch where his defense single handedly turned the tide of the game. A fully healthy Bogues completely changes this Cats group. He is dynamic on both sides of the ball and supercharges the Vermont attack. Aaron Deloney provided his trademark spark off the bench and hit big shots throughout, finishing with 12 points. His floater over Brooks late in the second half was a thing of beauty. TJ Hurley battled throughout and hit a couple big threes, rounding out the double figure scorers with 10 points. Nick Fiorillo's passing was a game changer in the second half, running the offense out of the high post. Fiorillo finished with 6 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a savvy veteran performance. And of course, TJ Long struggles throughout the game as the focus of the Lowell defense, can't get anything going, misses some open looks but................ hits the biggest shot of the night in overtime to give the Cats a late lead.
No time to rest on their laurels as the Cats are faced with an equally big test on a quick turnaround against an also undefeated in conference Bryant on Saturday afternoon. An absolute gauntlet weekend against the top tier America East challengers. Should be another incredible matchup and another absolute battle.
