FINAL SCORE: Vermont 70, Brown 65
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Isaiah Powell made a key stop in the final seconds of the game to help Vermont (7-4) secure a 70-65 victory over Brown (8-5) on Friday night at Pizzitola Sports Center. Four Catamounts registered double figures in the victory.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score: Web | PDF
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"I'm excited about the win tonight," said Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker. "It was a very hard fought win on the tail end of another long road trip. It was two different halves for both teams. Very defensive in the first half and very offensive in the second half. Isaiah made some huge plays on both ends down the stretch and we made the plays we needed to beat a tough, well coaches Brown team. I was also really happy for Justin to get a win in front of all his friends and family."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts scored the game's first two baskets for a quick 4-0 lead, and remained in front of the Bears. Vermont stretched the early lead to 8-3, but a pair of buckets by Paxson Wojcik pulled Brown to within one with 13:51 on the clock. Vermont added an 8-0 run to take a 16-7 lead with 8:59 left in the opening half.
• Back-to-back triples by Kino Lilly Jr. and Wojcik sparked a 12-6 run for the Bears, who trailed the Catamounts 22-19 with 4:20 to play in the half. In the final 1:13, Ben Shungu converted on a layup, and dished out an assist to Ryan Davis to help Vermont take a 29-23 lead into the locker room.
• Vermont expanded the lead to eight points in the early minutes of the second half with Davis drilling a pair of threes to lead the attack. Trailing 37-29 with 15:38 left in regulation, Brown began a 7-2 run to pull to within a possession. UVM countered with a 10-5 run to take a 49-41 lead with 10:04 remaining.
• The Bears outscored the Catamounts 7-1 over the next 3:07 to cut the deficit to two points for the first time since 18:17 in the first half. The non-conference foes exchanged triples, with Powell and Justin Mazzulla sinking treys on consecutive possessions. Brown took its only lead of the night when Tamenang Choh sank two free throws to put the Bears up 65-64 with 0:50 left.
• Vermont took back the lead when Shungu hit a pair of free throws with 30 seconds left. Brown stormed up the floor and found Choh in the post where he matched up against Powell. Powell locked down the Bears' forward and secured the rebound with 14 seconds remaining. The senior followed up the stop by converting on two free throws to ice the game.

INSIDE THE SCORE

• Shungu had a game-high 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting. The UVM guard dished out a team-high three assists and sank six free throws.
• Davis had 16 points for the Catamounts after shooting 5-for-8 on the night. Davis was a perfect 4-for-4 from and added a pair of free throws.
• Powell registered 15 points and scooped up a team-high eight rebounds. All eight of his boards came on the defensive glass.
• Mazzulla was the fourth Catamount to register double figures with a season-high 11 points. The fifth-year senior drilled a pair of treys and sank three attempts from the line.
• 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
The Catamounts return to action on Sunday (Dec. 19) when they visit Northeastern at Matthews Arena. The opening tip is slated for 1 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at NUHuskies.com. Sunday's game will broadcast live on FloHoops, with the purchase of a subscription. 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