FINAL SCORE: Vermont 62, UMass Lowell 53
LOWELL, Mass. – Vermont outscored UMass Lowell 40-26 in the second half to pull away for a 62-53 win on Tuesday afternoon. The Catamounts earned the conference-opening split with the River Hawks and sit at 1-1 overall while UML slips to 2-4 on the year.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score: Web | PDF
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"It was nice to get our first win of the year," said Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker. "It wasn't easy but we found a way. Our defense kept us in the game until we found a little offense. It was good to get a couple of games in us. We have a lot of work to do and we're excited to get back to practice."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The score was tight through the opening minutes as neither team held a lead larger than one possession. The Cats took their first lead of the season 8-7 at the 13:29 mark, but the River Hawks used two triples from Ron Mitchell for a 17-10 advantage with nine minutes left in the period.
• The Catamounts slowly chipped away and came within 21-19 with three minutes remaining after Justin Mazzulla (8 points, 5 rebounds) banked in a fast-break layup.
• Two minutes later, UML padded its lead back to a seven-point margin with a three-pointer and three free throws. Ben Shungu made a pair of his own from the line as the Green and Gold trailed 27-22 at the break.  
• Shungu's freebies helped shift the momentum of the game as the Cats opened the second half with an 11-0 run and led 31-27 by the first media timeout. The surge was highlighted by two Mazzulla layups in the paint and an old-fashioned three-point play from Isaiah Powell (7 points, 3 rebounds).
• The Green and Gold extended their run to 23-3 and held a 43-30 advantage with 11 minutes left in the game. Eric Beckett canned the team's first triple in front of his own bench and Nick Fiorillo (7 points) nailed one of his own plus a layup to fuel the surge.
• Following the eight-minute media timeout, UML netted six quick points but UVM pushed its lead back to double digits two minutes later.
• The River Hawks came as close as 56-49 with two minutes to go but Stef Smith iced the game with four points in the final minute.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Shungu scored double figures for the first time this season with 12 points and six rebounds. He was also a perfect 8-for-8 at the charity stripe.
• Smith overcame early foul trouble to finish the game with 10 points, three rebounds, and one steal.  
• Bailey Patella provided a spark off the bench with nine points and five rebounds.
• UVM had nine players score a point, including seven Cats with at least five points.
• Since 2016-17, the Catamounts are 22-5 following a loss.
• When the Cats Win, Community Wins. With each Catamount win, Vermont Mutual Insurance donates $100 to a local non-profit. For 2020 they will be donating $15,000 to Spectrum Youth and Family Services. 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 host NJIT for the home opener on Sunday (Dec. 27) and Monday (Dec. 28). The two-game set will be streamed on ESPN+ and the ESPN app 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 Brian McLaughlin on the call.
 
Key Motors of South Burlington is the presenting sponsor of the 2020-21 Vermont men's basketball season