FINAL SCORE: Vermont 77, Dartmouth 68
HANOVER, N.H. – The Vermont men's basketball team grinded out a 77-68 win at regional rival Dartmouth on Thursday night behind a game-high 26 points from Stef Smith. The Catamounts finish the non-conference slate with a 10-5 record.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score: Web | PDF
CatamounTV Highlights 
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"I was disappointed with the way we came out," said Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker. "Our guys have won a lot of games and know how to win close games. We made plays down the stretch, but we'll go look at the tape and get ready for Stony Brook."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts had to play catch-up for most of the first half as the Big Green made their first seven field goals. UVM managed to knot the score up at 21-21 by the eight-minute mark after Smith converted a four-point play. The junior buried a corner triple, then knocked down the ensuing free throw.
• The regional foes traded buckets for the rest of the half and went into the locker room deadlocked at 40-40.
• To open the second half, Smith continued his hot streak with nine straight points for the Green and Gold in the first four minutes.
• With 10:29 left to play, Everett Duncan helped UVM build a five-point lead after hitting five free throws on one possession – two as a part of a technical foul and three as a result of a foul on a three-pointer.
• The Big Green clawed back and evened the score at 62-62 with five minutes left on the clock after Chris Knight canned a mini-hook shot in the paint. However, after a layup from Ryan Davis and four straight free throws from Robin Duncan, the Cats pushed their lead to 68-62 at the 3:07 mark.
• In the final minute, Vermont scored seven of the last nine points of the contest to seal the win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Smith's big night came on 10-of-15 shooting including 3-of-6 from behind the arc. He recorded four rebounds and was credited with an assist.
• Robin Duncan finished the game with 13 points. He also logged five steals, dished out four assists, and grabbed four rebounds.
• Older brother Everett Duncan added 12 points and hit all nine attempts at the charity stripe.
• UVM matched a program record with 10 regular season non-conference wins.
• The Catamounts extended their winning streak against the Big Green to 12 games, the longest active streak against a non-conference opponent.
• 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 1 win totaling $100. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. A new beneficiary of the Cats Win, Community Wins campaign will be announced at the next game. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

WHO'S NEXT
Vermont will open conference play against Stony Brook on Wednesday (Jan. 8). The opening tip is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday. All of the action can be seen on ESPN3 and the ESPN app by logging in with your television provider. 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.
 
National Life Group is the presenting sponsor of the 2019-20 Vermont men's basketball season