Vermont 72 UMBC 70
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Vermont overcame a nightmare 0-15 start from the field and an early 20 point deficit to sneak out of UMBC with a win. In another show of tremendous resilience and heart, the Cats never put their heads down despite the Retrievers seemingly having every answer. In the first half it was another inexplicable offensive wasteland. Becker was just beside himself as the misses kept piling up. The Cats are getting the same open looks they have been getting all year, they just will not go down. I think that is what makes it so hard is it doesn't feel like anything is different besides shots not falling. Vermont was able to bounce back enough to cut it to an 8 point deficit at the half. In the second half there were many times where it felt like the Cats were gaining momentum. Each time UMBC had an answer with big time shotmaking. Opposing teams are really responding to the strong rim protection and tough defense from the Cats by playing mostly in isolation and relying more on jump shooting. Vermont just kept grinding and made enough plays to come out on top. Timely shooting, tough defense, and low turnovers. That is this team's bread and butter. It feels like at some point the shots are going to fall again. This was a must win game and the Cats found a way to get it done. It is very similar to how they pulled out the close victory over Brown following their tough loss at Miami (OH). This team could have called it a day and folded after the awful start but they never lost hope and showed the heart of a winner.
Shamir Bogues completely put the Cats on his back and willed them to victory at almost every stretch of the game. After having his toughest game as a Catamount on Thursday, he had his best this afternoon. Bogues finished with 23 points on 10-14 shooting and committed zero turnovers. In the first half when Vermont was down 25-5, he ignited the Cats with some electric scoring plays including a smooth step back three. In the game defining run Bogues chased down a UMBC fast break, scored inside, blocked a shot, hit a three, finished off a three point play, and hit the game winner. An incredible performance, especially considering there are still times during the game where you can see the foot injury crop up. What a gutsy performance. TJ Hurley powered through a physical game and an off shooting afternoon to finish with 11 points and 5 rebounds(4 offensive). He got several clutch rebounds today as Vermont did as great job on the offensive glass. TJ Long struggled for most of the game from the field but grabbed a career high 11 rebounds and of course hit big threes when Vermont needed them in the second half and finished with 7 points. Jace Roquemore had the lunch pail effort of the game finishing with 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals while allowing Becker to play lots of different lineups with his versatility. Nick Fiorillo finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in another nice all around effort. Sam Alamutu scored 6 points and hit two huge free throws down the stretch. Ileri Ayo-Faleye pushed through what Becker described as an illness and made some big defensive plays and finished with 7 points. Matt Veretto and Aaron Deloney struggled to knock down shots in a combined 2-13 shooting performance.
You can see on the sidelines that Becker and the coaching staff are trying to solve the puzzle that is the Cats offensive struggles. Thankfully the defense continues to be strong and they were able to avoid a soul crushing two game skid. Now back home for a big showdown with pesky New Hampshire for Becker’s first shot at 300 career wins.
Also now that NJIT also beat Lowell maybe the Highlanders are just hot right now!
