Vermont’s Hot Start Gives the Catamounts a Win at UMBC

By: Ethan Hennessy

Catonsville Maryland

Vermont came out of the gates red hot at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on Saturday afternoon. Jim Jerry was forced to call a timeout less than five minutes int o the game bacause thanks to two steals and three Ryan Davis three pointers Vermont was up 13-2. Vermont coach John Becker when asked about the dominate start said “Defensivly I thought we came out really engaged and focused. It allowed us to get out in transition and then we made what five threes right in the begining of the game. It’s a lot easier when you’re making shots and getting stops.” The bleeding did not stop there though as the catamounts would open up a 20-4 lead on the retrievers. Vermont attacked every offensive posestion with hard drives, crisp passes, or good open shots thanks to the extra pass being made. Turnovers also helped UVM. UMBC comitted seven by the 6:17 mark in the first half and Vermont capitalized with ten points off them. By the end of the first half Vermont led 50-33 and was shooting 62.5% from three.

The second half had its share of nice plays including Finn Sullivan of Vermont hustling back to strip the ball from UMBC after the retrievers had a 2-0 fastbreak. LJ Owens of UMBC also had a nice backdoor cut to the basket and recieved and finished a beautiful bounce pass from Spasojevic. UMBC made atempts to get back in the game, but they were not able to get closer than 13 points the rest of the game. UMBC played Vermont straight up in the second half as both teams scored 36 points each, but the early buffer Vermont built for themselves proved to be the difference. 2020-21 America East player of the year Ryan Davis led the catamounts with 21 points and nine rebounds. Finn Sullivan also contributed heavily scoring a season high 20 points including six made three pointers. In the losing effort Syzmon Wojcik had 22 points and six rebounds.