FINAL SCORE: Vermont 78, Colgate 68
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Aaron Deloney set a career-high 18 points to lead Vermont (8-4) to a 78-68 victory over Colgate (4-9) on Wednesday afternoon at Patrick Gym. The Catamounts close out non-conference play with a .667 winning percentage for the fourth time under Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker.
 
RELATED LINKS
CatamounTV Highlights
Box Score: Web | PDF
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"It was a great win today in a unique Wednesday afternoon game," said Becker. "I always love these games, right before the holidays. That was a really good Colgate team, with a veteran group much like us. It was a really hard-fought, tough, physical game. I thought Aaron Deloney was the Player of the Game. With a big roster, we have to stay ready and take advantage of opportunities and tonight Aaron did that, and I thought it was the difference in the game."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• UVM and Colgate exchanged baskets in the early minutes of the afternoon, with Ryan Davis sinking Vermont's first nine points. Davis hit a trio of triples in the first five minutes for the Catamounts. UVM held a 13-12 lead with 12:44 left in the first half, but Colgate responded with a 13-5 run to lead 25-18 with 8:21 left on the clock.
• Vermont clawed back and tied the game when Deloney sank a trey to make the score 27-27 with 5:52 remaining in the opening half. Davis converted on a pair of free throws 19 seconds later for UVM's first lead in over six minutes. The Catamounts closed out the final 5:52 of the first half on a 19-4 run to take a 43-31 lead into the locker room.
• The Raiders cut the 12-point deficit in the first 8:14 of the second half with a 16-4 run that tied the game at 47-47. Colgate briefly took a 50-48 lead, but Ben Shungu drilled a three-pointer to put Vermont back in front.
• Colgate tied the score twice in the next three minutes, but Deloney drilled an important three to put the Catamounts up 60-57 with 5:31 left in regulation. Vermont would hold on to the lead for the remainder of the afternoon

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Deloney's career-high 18 points came on 5-of-8 shooting off the bench for Vermont. The junior hit 3-of-4 attempts from long range and sank 5-of-6 free throws. Deloney also registered one steal in his 18 minutes of play.
• Davis had 17 points, registering double digits for the fifth consecutive game. The senior was 5-for-8 from the floor and shot 60.0% from deep with his three first-half treys.
• Isaiah Powell also had 17 points and scooped up six rebounds. Powell converted on 6-of-12 field goal attempts and 3-of-6 three pointers.
• Nick Fiorillo logged a team-high eight rebounds. The Vermont forward cleaned up seven boards on the defensive glass.
• 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 opens up America East play on Sunday (Jan. 2) when it hosts UAlbany at Patrick Gym. The opening tip is slated for 5 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday. The conference opener will broadcast live on ESPN+. 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