FINAL SCORE: Vermont 61, Yale 53
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Ryan Davis converted on a three-point play with 3:48 remaining to lift Vermont (3-1) to a 61-53 victory over Yale (3-2) on Thursday night at Patrick Gym. The Catamounts clawed out a win in a game that saw 14 lead changes.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score: Web | PDF
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COACH'S QUOTE
"It was a great team win against a really tough opponent tonight," said Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker. "I thought Robin Duncan got us going early with his energy and physicality, and Justin Mazzulla played really well. Benny and Ryan made shots when they needed to, and we got enough stops down the stretch."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vermont opened the game on a 6-2 run with Davis hitting two of his first three attempts from the field. The Catamounts had their largest lead of the first half until Matthue Cotton drilled a three with 15:57 left on the clock. Cotton's shot sparked an 11-2 run for the Bulldogs in a 6:27 span to give Yale a 13-8 lead with 9:47 remaining in the half.
• UVM retook the lead when a Robin Duncan layup put the Catamounts up 17-16 with 5:50 left in the opening frame. Vermont and Yale traded buckets in waning minutes of the first half with the Cats maintaining a one-point lead. Matt Knowling converted on a last-second layup to put the Bulldogs up 24-23 at the break.
• Yale extended its lead to five points, coming out of the locker room with a pair of baskets from Jalen Gabbidon and Isaiah Kelly. The Bulldogs maintained a lead until a Finn Sullivan three pointer briefly pulled the Catamounts even at 29-29 with 14:03 remaining.
• Davis retook the lead for Vermont with 7:13 left after draining a corner three. Ben Shungu followed it up with a long two-pointer, before Azar Swain sank a deep three to put Yale back up by one.
• With 3:48 remaining, Davis converted on a layup while drawing a foul, and sank the free throw to give Vermont a 49-46 lead – the final lead change of the night. Justin Mazzulla sank four free throw attempts and made an important basket down the stretch to preserve the UVM lead.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Davis led the Catamount attack with 19 points on 5-of-13 shooting while going 7-for-9 from the free throw line. The senior picked up a game-high nine rebounds and swatted away four blocks.
• Shungu also hit double figures with a 13-point afternoon. The UVM guard also pulled in seven rebounds and dished out two assists.
• Mazzulla and Isaiah Powell had eight points each. Mazzulla was a perfect 6-for-6 from the line. Powell went 4-for-8 from the field and hauled in seven rebounds.
• With today's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Foodbank as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Vermont Mutual has committed to donating $15,000 to Vermont Foodbank for the 2021 season. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

UP NEXT
Vermont travels south to Estero, Florida for the Gulf Coast Showcase, beginning on Monday with a first round matchup against Oakland. Tip-off is slated for 1:30 p.m. at Hertz Arena. Fans can tune into the action, which broadcast live on FloSports. Fans can listen for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College on The Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 960 AM around the rest of the region. The radio broadcast is also available online at Catamounts All-Access with Brian McLaughlin on the call.  
 
Key Motors of South Burlington is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball