College Hoops: UVM Men and Women Top Binghamton

Courtesy Vermont Sports Information

VESTAL, NY. –– For the second straight game, Vermont had at least four players register double figures with a 72-53 win at Binghamton on Wednesday night. The Catamounts stand at 12-6 overall and 2-1 in the conference standings.

COACH’S QUOTE
“It was a great effort on the road tonight, especially in the first half,” Cioffi Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Becker said. “Our depth has been great to see and I thought our bench gave us great minutes as well.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Catamounts were firing on all cylinders to begin the game with an 11-2 run, including five points from Anthony Lamb.
The Bearcats chipped away at the deficit and drew within 17-10 at the 10:53 mark but UVM’s offensive rhythm was too much for BU. The Green and Gold capped off the half with a 26-12 surge and ran into the locker room with a 43-22 advantage. The Cats shot 46.7% (14-for-30) from the floor and 53.3% (8-for-15) from three-point land in the opening 20 minutes.
Binghamton started the second half on a 12-6 run but Vermont quickly countered with 15 unanswered points over an eight-minute span to pad its lead to 64-39.
In the final five minutes, BU outscored UVM 14-8 for the final margin of victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Ben Shungu and Lamb each netted 12 points and recorded five rebounds. Shungu shot 4-of-7 from the floor and knocked down two triples. Lamb shot a similar 5-of-8 from the field and dished out three assists. He also passed former Northeastern guard J.J. Barea for No. 25 on the America East all-time scoring list.
Ryan Davis matched Shungu and Lamb with 12 points and gathered two boards.
Stef Smith and Robin Duncan followed with 10 points apiece. The pair combined for nine boards and four assists.
UVM has won the last 10 meetings with Binghamton and leads the all-time series 34-8.
With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Make-A-Wish Vermont, bringing the 2020 total to seven wins totaling $800. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

WHO’S NEXT
Vermont returns to Catamount Country to face Hartford on Saturday (Jan. 18). The opening tip against the first-place Hawks is set for 2 p.m. All of the action can be seen on ESPN+ with a paid subscription. Fans can also listen live on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College, on 101.3 The Game or online at Catamounts All-Access with Jake Marsh on the call.

BURLINGTON –– Hanna Crymble had 32 points including seven straight in the fourth quarter as Vermont rallied from ten down in the last minute of the third quarter to defeat Binghamton 65-62 in America East action from Patrick Gym Wednesday night. With the win UVM improved to 2-2 in conference this season while the Bearcats fell to 1-3.

COACH’S QUOTE
“Tonight was a great team win against a tough Binghamton team,” said Head Coach Alisa Kresge. “We got contributions from everyone on both ends of the floor. Our toughness was what got us over the hump. We dove on loose balls, took charges and forced turnovers. We need to continue this toughness on the road Saturday against Hartford.”

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats stormed out of the gate with an 11-0 run over the game’s first 3:15. Annie Ramil led the way for Binghamton with four early points. Jane McCauley hit a three-pointer for the Catamounts to stem the tide and start a UVM comeback. Hanna Crymble had nine points in the quarter as UVM closed the opening quarter on an 15-3 run to take a 23-19 lead.
Binghamton’s Kai Moon started the second quarter with a personal 9-2 run. Moon had 12 points in the second quarter and hit a three-pointer late in the frame to give the Bearcats a 41-38 lead. Crymble converted with 21 seconds left in the half to cut the BU lead to one entering the half.
In the third quarter the Bearcats used a 10-0 to regain control of the game, they led Vermont 55-44 with 2:08 remaining in the third quarter. Josie Larkins hit a jumper with five seconds left in the quarter to cut the BU lead to seven.
Crymble and Emma Utterback took over the final frame for the Catamounts. Crymble scored the first seven points of the quarter to tie the game at 55 with seven minutes left in regulation. Utterback picked Annie Ramil’s pocket and scored in transition to give UVM its first lead of the half, 59-57, with 5:16 remaining.
In the final few minutes Utterback and Crymble each gave UVM a four-point cushion only to see Moon respond for Binghamton. She nailed a three-pointer with 1:57 left in regulation to make it a one-point game. With 23 seconds left Sarah Wells drove to the hoop and finished in traffic to reestablish the Catamounts three-point lead.
In the final 20 seconds the Catamounts defense smothered Moon. With seven seconds left Delaney Richason swatted a three-point attempt from Moon. Binghamton called timeout to setup another attempt at a game-tying shot. This time Wells covered Moon and forced an off-balance shot from NBA-range that fell short sealing the Catamounts second straight conference home win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Wednesday night was Hanna Crymble’s first 30-point performance against an America East opponent. It was her fifth career 30-point performance and second this season. It was the third time in her career she has scored 32 or more points. Only three players in Vermont women’s basketball history (Sheri Turnbull – 8, Karalyn Church – 5, Joann McKay – 4) have more performances of 32 points or more.
After scoring 32 points tonight Crymble needs 34 points to tie Aaron Yantzi ’04 for seventh place all-time at UVM in scoring with 1,592 points. Crymble is one of just eight Catamounts all-time to score 1,500 points.
In its last six wins Vermont has outscored its opponents 124-73 in the first quarter.
With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to a Vermont charity, bringing the 2020 total to seven wins totaling $700. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

WHO’S NEXT
The Catamounts are on the road this weekend as they travel to face Hartford on Saturday (Janaury 18) at 2 p.m. It will be the Catamounts first contest against the Hawks with Morgan Valley at the helm. The Colchester native and former Rice Memorial High School star is in her first season as head coach of the Hawks. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Fans can also listen to the contest on WVMT AM 620/96.3 FM with Maura Sheridan on the call.