BURLINGTON –– The top-seeded Vermont Catamounts will be making their 10th consecutive trip to the America East Semifinals after beating eighth-seeded Maine 73-57 on Saturday night in the quarterfinal round of the conference tournament. The Green and Gold improve to 25-6 on the year while the Black Bears close the books on a 5-27 season.
COACH’S QUOTE
“It was a good win here in the first round of the playoffs,” Cioffi Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Becker. “In the second half, I thought our defense slipped a little, but we were able to get enough stops. I thought Anthony played great offensively, he kind of carried us again tonight. Thanks to the fans for coming out tonight, hopefully we’ll see everyone on Tuesday.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Catamounts drained three attempts from long distance for an early 18-5 lead less than six minutes into the game.
The Black Bears quickly answered with six of the game’s next eight points to cut the deficit to single digits, 20-11, with 9:26 left in the half.
After the two foes traded buckets for two minutes, UVM closed out the half on a 15-6 run for a 41-22 lead at the break.
In the second half, Vermont continued to fend off Maine as the Black Bears only drew as close as a 16-point margin.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Anthony Lamb proved why he was voted America East Player of the Year with a game-high 34 points. The junior shot 12-of-23 in the matchup with four triples, grabbed six rebounds, and recorded three steals.
Ernie Duncan reached double figures for the third time in the last four games. He scored 12 points, including 10 in the second half, on 4-of-5 shooting and handed out three assists.
Samuel Dingba and Ryan Davis added seven points apiece. The pair combined to collect five boards and swatted away two shots.
Duncan became the third Catamount to make 300-career three-point field goals. He joins Tony Orciari (305) and the school’s all-time leader T.J. Sorrentine (354).
Becker earned his 15th-career America East Tournament win and moves into sole possession of fourth on the league’s all-time tournament wins list.
With the victory, the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Make-A-Wish Vermont; bringing this year’s total to 40 wins and $4,000.
WHO’S NEXT
Vermont will host seventh-seeded Binghamton in the America East Semifinals on Tuesday (March 12). The opening tip is set for 7 p.m. on the hardwood of Patrick Gym. All of the action can be seen on ESPN+ with a paid subscription. Fans can access ESPN+ with a seven-day free trial, followed by a subscription fee of $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, with the ability to cancel at any time. Fans can also listen to the contest on 101.3 The Game and 1013TheGame.com with Jake Marsh on the call.
AMERICA EAST SEMIFINAL TICKET INFO
SEASON TICKET HOLDERS can purchase their regular season seats through their My Vermont Tickets account through Sunday (March 10). The UVM Ticket Office will also be open on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please contact the UVM Ticket Office at Athletic.Tickets@uvm.edu or 802-656-4410 with any questions regarding your online account.
VICTORY CLUB MEMBERS at the Captain level ($1500+) and above can request additional tickets for all home playoff games by e-mailing the Victory Club office at victory.club@uvm.edu by Sunday (March 10) at 12-midnight. All requests will be filled based on availability and established Victory Club priority. Requests for all potential home playoff games (America East Semifinal on March 12 and Championship on March 16) must be received by this deadline. If you have season tickets, please follow the instructions you received from the Ticket Office by Sunday (March 10) at 12 midnight.
A GENERAL PUBLIC sale will begin on Monday (March 11) at 12 p.m. in-person at the Patrick Gym Box Office or online at UVMathletics.com/Tickets. Phone orders will not be taken until all in-person customers have been assisted.
STUDENTS can pick up their tickets at the Patrick Gym Box Office on Monday beginning at 9 a.m. Student must present their UVM I.D. in order to receive a ticket.
TICKET PRICES:
Free – UVM students
$14 – Reserved Youth (12 and Under)
$16 – Reserved
$18—Premium (Section 5)