FINAL SCORE: Vermont 58, Evansville 49
ESTERO, Fla. – Isaiah Powell matched a season-high 17 points to pace Vermont (4-2) in a 58-49 victory over Evansville (2-5) on Day 2 of the Gulf Coast Showcase.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"It was a good bounce back win today after a tough loss yesterday," said Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker. "I thought they guys were tremendous defensively, all game long. Defense and rebounding really controlled the game. The offense struggled in the first half, but we got it going with better movement in the second half."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Purple Aces grabbed an early lead with the game's first basket, and held on to the advantage until a three-point play by Isaiah Powell that knotted the game at 10-10 halfway through the opening frame. Evansville responded with a 13-6 run for a 23-16 lead with 3:41 remaining in the first half.
• Vermont closed out the half with eight unanswered points in the final 3:25 to take a 25-24 lead into the locker room. Nick Fiorillo drilled a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left to give the Catamounts their first lead of the day.
• UVM began to pull away at the start of the first half with a 9-2 run in the first 5:34 of the frame. Kam Gibson hit a three pointer to put the Catamounts up 33-25 with 14:26 remaining.
• Evansville briefly pulled to within a possession with a pair of free throws from Jawaun Newton, but UVM countered with a 16-8 run to go up 49-38 with 4:24 left. Ryan Davis hit a layup to give Vermont its first double digit lead of the day.
• UVM's lead grew to as large as 16 points with two minutes remaining, when Powell converted on a layup to put the Catamounts up 56-40. Evansville countered in the final minute to get to a single-digit deficit.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Powell sank 8-of-14 shots for his 17-point output, which included 10 points in the second half. Powell also pulled in a team-high seven rebounds on the day.
• Ben Shungu was also in double figures with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting. The UVM guard led the Catamounts with two treys on five attempts.
• The Catamounts hit 44.8% (13-of-29) field goals in the second half and held the Purple Aces to 26.1% (6-of-23) shooting.
• Vermont found success inside, with a dominant 32-12 scoring advantage in the paint.
• 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 returns to action on Wednesday (Nov. 24) for the final day of the Gulf Coast Showcase at Hertz Arena. The Catamounts will play the winner of Akron and Appalachian State at 1:30 p.m. 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