Battle Royale: CATS FROM THE TOP ROPE

Vermont 59 Bryant 55

In an incredible championship atmosphere, Vermont battled Bryant to the final buzzer and came out with with their fifth straight win. The game was an all out war, with both teams leaving it all out on the floor. This time it was Bryant that got off to a hot start before Vermont responded with a 13-0 run to retake the lead. From there the game was back and forth with each team responding and counter-punching. Both teams were flying all over the court on defense. In the second half the pace slowed even more and the play became extra physical. Tensions began to rise and player's resolve was tested. Vermont made plays on both sides on the ball and emerged victorious. Vermont's defense was incredible, holding Bryant to 35% shooting including 4-21 from three. The Cats held the Connor Withers and Rafael Pinzon duo to 7-28 shooting from the field including 1-14 from three. The Cats held their own on the boards and dominated the paint, outscoring Bryant 34-20. The energy felt like it was bouncing back and forth between the players and the crowd. In the first meeting, the Cats struggled mightily with turnovers and they did a complete 180 in tonight's game. The Cats only committed 7 turnovers and controlled the tempo of the game throughout. A monster win that really showcased the toughness of this team. They have been through the fire this season and all of that adversity has really galvanized the team during this win streak. They have that mental toughness and belief that has made Vermont teams so tough. 

To begin with tonight, Noah Barnett was phenomenal. With Sam Alamutu sidelined in the second half, Barnett stepped up and seized his opportunity. He was all over the court, diving for loose balls, playing tough defense, and dominating the paint. Barnett finished with 5 points and 9 rebounds in 21 minutes and made numerous winning plays down the stretch. He has a nose for the ball and his hustle is contagious. What a clutch performance. TJ Hurley was not to be denied a second time by Bryant and led the Cats with 17 points. He was money down the stretch and fought through a very tough Bulldog defense intent on stopping him. He also played great defense on Withers. Ileri Ayo-Faleye sparked the Cats in the first half with back to back threes and finished with 15 points and 3 blocks. His defense was incredible, switching onto everyone, and really frustrating Bryant star Earl Timberlake. Shamir Bogues shook off his injury from last game and played a team high 38 minutes. Bogues finished with 11 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in an all out performance. He was a big reason for Pinzon's struggles. Nick Fiorillo finished with 9 points and 9 rebounds in a big time performance in the paint. Alamutu pulled down 8 rebounds before sitting out down the stretch. 

Vermont is gaining steam at the right time and will look to continue the momentum against Lowell on Saturday. I will be travelling to Disney World with the family so I will not be posting for that game. I will be cheering from afar!!

P.S. At some point the league really needs to step in and hold Bryant to a higher standard of behavior. The constant technical fouls and tough guy routine has gotten old. Keyshawn Mitchell, for the at least the second time this year, had to be physically restrained and escorted off the court at the end of the game by a Bryant staff member as he continually tried to return to the court to fight. Instead of wearing "Spread Respect" t-shirts, it is time to hold the America East member institutions to a higher standard. 

P.P.S. That was an incredibly weak and ineffective crew of referees. So many times they did not make calls with confidence. The one thing a referee crew needs to be is strong, in control, and confident in what they see. 

BIG WIN

Vermont 65 Maine 61

Vermont vaulted themselves into second place in the America East with their fourth straight win. The road game in Orono is always a tough one and this year it had the added flair of being a battle for second place in the conference standings. Once again Vermont got off to a hot start. The excitement came to a halt when Shamir Bogues went down with what looked like a knee injury. Sending positive vibes and hoping he is okay. There was a lull for the Cats after the injury and you could see a bit of "here we go again" creeping in. The Cats burst out of halftime with incredible team basketball and built up a 16 point lead. Maine punched right back and the game seesawed like that for the rest of the action. With timely shot-making and smothering defense, Vermont was able to pick up an absolutely huge win in a tough road environment. Vermont had 19 assists on 23 made baskets and the player and ball movement on offense was really sharp. When factoring in the loss of Bogues so early on, this win is even more impressive. Check another box off the "Catamounts we know and love" list as that "next man up" mentality has led them to many victories over the years despite losing key players. That is the type of game they were losing earlier in the season and serves as a great marker of how well they have been playing during this stretch. 

TJ Hurley was awesome this afternoon. What a smooth and efficient offensive performance. He finished with 24 points on 7-13 (4-7 from three) shooting from the field. He played with an extra ferocity, going for a big dunk and silencing the crown with a huge logo three. The pull up three in the corner with two time defensive player of the year Kellen Tynes in his grill was a particular favorite of mine. What a performance. Sam Alamutu continued his inspired play with another new career high in rebounds and a Robin Duncanesque stat stuffing performance. He finished with 9 points, 7 assists, 13 rebounds, and 2 steals. He looks so much more confident and sure of his role than even a few weeks ago. Ileri Ayo-Faleye finished with 12 points and 3 blocks in a great two way performance. Sean Blake blew the game open to start the second half and finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in 28 minutes of action. He stepped right in for Bogues and looked as calm and in control as he has all season. Nick Fiorillo also had a strong all around game with 7 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds. A true team effort. 

Now the big showdown against Bryant on Thursday in what should be an electric atmosphere in Patrick. It is going to be a blast!

Vermont vs New Hampshire 2/13/25

Vermont 79 New Hampshire 59

Vermont led wire to wire int their most well rounded game of the season. The Cats took control early, never relented, and wore down UNH. In the first half Vermont once again got off to a hot start. It has gotten lost a bit becasue the hot starts have not translated as consistently to winning as one would think, but the Cats have really been opening games with a bang all conference play. Tonight they did not take their foot off the gas and kept up the intensity for 40 minutes. It was also great to see them look comfortable attacking a zone defense. Vermont dominated almost every facet of the game, winning the rebounding battle and making 11 three pointers. They also finished with 17 assists and only 7 turnovers while making every shot tough for the Wildcats. It continues to impress the level of discipline in their defense as they only committed 7 fouls for the entire game. They forced two shot clock violations where UNH didn't even attempt a shot. Great to see that machine-like Catamount efficiency that we have come to know and love bubbling up for the stretch run. 

Sam Alamutu played a second strong game in a row, finishing with a double double of 10 points and a career high 12 rebounds. He also added 2 steals and 2 blocks in a great all around performance. He has looked more engaged and aggressive over the last two games. Ileri Ayo-Faleye led the Cats with 16 points while adding 4 rebounds and 5 assists. He has been attacking closeouts really well and is creating off the drive not just for himself but for teammates as well. When he is attacking space off the dribble, it unlocks a different level of the Catamount offense. Shamir Bogues is all the way back and he announced it with a simple, stroll in park, big time dunk. He was his old electric self and continued his rapid rise during conference play. Bogues absolutely dominated with 15 points (6-7 shooting) 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. For his career Bogues now sits at 253 steals (including his time at Tarleton State). That ties the all time Catamount career steals record held by Howard Hudson. Congratulations to Bogues on a big time accomplishment. Nick Fiorillo finished with 14 points and 4 rebounds. TJ Hurley fought through an off night, finishing with 13 points. The fact that Vermont scored 79 points in a game where Hurley struggled is the best indicator of how far this group has come. Noah Barnett, Jace Roquemore, and Sean Blake all gave good minutes off the bench as the Cats continue to search for that second unit spark. 

Now the stretch that will have huge seeding ramifications as the Cats have fought tooth and nail to give themselves some control over their destiny. They take the loooooooong road trip to Maine on Saturday before hosting Bryant next Thursday. The two teams they are chasing in the standings, right there, waiting for battle. This is what conference play is all about. 

Vermont at Albany 2/8/25

Vermont 68 Albany 62

Vermont battled it out on the road and emerged victorious over Albany. It was really a vintage Cats performance with timely shot making and lockdown defense. Once again, the Cats got off to a hot start only to see the opposing team come roaring back. The Cats stayed calm and battled the Great Danes in a very exciting and well played first half. The first half was played at Albany's pace, and Vermont went into the break with a 37-36 lead. In the second half Vermont controlled the tempo and dug in on the defensive side of the ball. Back and forth the teams went and with the score tied at 57, the Vermont coaching staff drew up a great play out of the time out to give the Cats the lead for good. A big key for the Cats was winning the battle on the boards and in the paint. Vermont only committed 7 turnovers and took advantage of their chances at the foul line (despite the crazy sequence at the end). A great road win against a team that was riding high after taking down undefeated Bryant. 

TJ Hurley led the way with a big second half and finished with 21 points on an efficient 6-10 shooting night from the field. He was tremendous in the second half, hitting tough shots and knocked down the go ahead three with the score tied at 57. Nick Fiorillo dominated the first half, scoring all of his 17 points before the break. He knocked down 4-7 from three and was the spark to get things started in a tough road game. Shamir Bogues continued his hot streak with 15 points and his trademark tough defense as he continues to look more like himself. Ileri Ayo-Faleye struggled shooting the ball but had two huge dunks and finished with 9 points and 10 rebounds. He was a large part of the Cats big night on the boards. Sam Alamutu finished with 4 points, 8 rebounds, and came up with several big defensive plays down the stretch. This was a starters game for sure as Becker really shortened his bench in the second half. 

A great win as the Cats look to build momentum. 

On the ropes, the Cats punch Back!!

Vermont 54 Maine 49

Gutsy.

In a must win game, Vermont dug deep and clawed their way to a huge win, snapping Maine's 6 game win streak. The Maine/Vermont matchups have always been physical, defensive battles and this one lived up to the billing. In the first half, both teams were locked in on defense and relied on timely three point shooting on offense. Every inch of space, every drive to the basket, and every shot was earned through hard work and guts. In the second half, the defenses remained locked in as each team tried to move the chess pieces around the board to unlock the offense. Vermont shrunk down to a six man rotation and went long stretches with almost no substitutions, pushing themselves to the limit to secure the win. After a few more late game press break gaffes, the Cats came up with the big plays and pulled out the win they desperately needed. Vermont was strong on the boards and forced Maine into fadeaway jumpers on the move for at least half of their attempts from the field. Maine's zone was really good and the Cats stayed patient and limited their turnovers. Now Vermont has the week off to build on this win and start a streak of their own. 

TJ Hurley led the Cats with 15 points and has hit 4 threes in three consecutive games at a 57% (12-21) clip. Teams are really making him work and he fought for every point this afternoon. Shamir Bogues finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds while playing tremendous defense on the Maine guards. He also hit the big shot, a top of the key three to break a 49-49 deadlock with 30 seconds left. Bogues also played 39 minutes and earned some well deserved rest for sure. He was an absolute warrior this afternoon. Nick Fiorillo rounded out the double digit scorers with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Sean Blake had one of his most impactful games in a Catamount uniform, playing 25 minutes and stuffing the stat sheet with 5 points, 3 assists, and a team high 7 rebounds. He also stepped to the line at 47% from the charity stripe on the season and calmly knocked down two clutch free throws. Big time performance from the freshman and you can see the game starting to slow down for him. Sam Alamutu had a nice 4 point, 6 rebound, 3 assist lunchpail effort. He also drew several fouls by virtue of his physicality on the boards. Ileri Ayo-Faleye is in quite a shooting slump and was in the doghouse a bit in this game. He finished with 5 points and 6 rebounds but shot 2-10 from the field. Hopefully he can get his confidence back this week. 

A week off before a big Saturday night showdown on the road at Albany.