Vermont used an explosive first half followed by a signature gutsy second, to take home the win on opening night. What a way to start the season for the Catamounts. Not only was it a great game but it showcased all of the things that make Vermont such a tough team. Tough D? Check. Timely shooting? Check. Low Turnovers? Check. Unexpected contributors? Check. Just an absolutely awesome team win to open the season with contributions from everyone. In the first half Vermont found success against the UAB zone both finding lanes to the rim and knocking down threes. They really muscled up on the boards in the first half as well, making life difficult for Blazers star Yaxel Lendeborg. The second half was a different story. Lendeborg played like a man possessed and absolutely dominated Vermont. UAB switched to a physical man to man defense and took away Vermont's driving lanes. They had no answer. The Cats never panicked, never backed down or hung their heads, and kept fighting. The defense clamped down on everyone else and kept UAB from making a single three (0-10). Vermont iced the game at the line and came away with a huge win. The defense looked phenomenal and the Cats were even able to play some lineups with *gasp* three big men on the floor at one time. A tremendously gutsy effort with big plays up and down the lineup.
TJ Hurley led the Cats with 20 points and hit the big shot to put the Cats ahead for good in the closing minutes. With the departure of Aaron Deloney, Hurley was the most natural fit to take on that perimeter scoring role and boy did he excel. Always poised and under control, Hurley picked his spots and make great decisions throughout the game. He hit 4 threes (including one from the parking lot) and played really tough defense, making life difficult for the UAB guards. Shamir Bogues got Vermont out to a hot start, absolutely exploding in the first 5 minutes of the game. After that he struggled to make shots as UAB focused their defense on stopping Bogues going to rim. Bogues finished with 13 points and was a huge part of the stellar perimeter defense. Nate Barnett waited a whole year to make his Catamount debut and he did not disappoint. He completely changed the game in the first half with his hustle and high motor play. Barnett finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 huge block in 22 minutes. He has a nose for the ball and it was great to see his hard work have an impact on the game. TJ Long struggled in his first game action but as always hit a huge three to break a 55 all tie. Long finished with 10 points to round out the double digit scorers for the Cats. The bank was open late for Ileri Ayo-Faleye as he banked in not one, but two threes in a crucial second half stretch. The Cats offense had stalled and Ayo-Faleye reignited the Cats with a tremendous four point play. He played his typical tough defense, finishing with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Seth Joba played a physical and tough 17 minutes and hit a nice corner three. Sam Alamutu didn't score but played tough defense. Sean Blake struggled with a few turnovers and Nick Fiorillo had a tough game, getting out muscled in the post. Fiorillo did come up with the crucial rebound to begin the free throw shooting at the end of the game. Just an incredible all around performance by the Cats.
What a great way to open the season and Vermont can go into the Auburn game loose and ready to shock the world.
Also what a great win for the Vermont women's team in their opener against Missouri. Fun times in Catamount country!!
