FINAL SCORE: Vermont 86, Stony Brook 78
BURLINGTON, Vt. – After nearly a month-long layover, Vermont returned to action in a big way as five players scored double figures in Saturday's 86-78 win over Stony Brook. The Catamounts extended their winning streak to six games and improve to 8-3. The Seawolves drop to 8-11 overall and 6-7 in the league standings.  
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score: Web | PDF
CatamounTV: Game Highlights | Postgame Press Conference
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Today was a really good hard-fought win", said Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker. "After the month layoff and to jump right into a physical matchup, I thought the guys responded well to the adversity with some huge plays. Stony Brook is a good team and we expect another tough game tomorrow."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Stony Brook's Tykei Greene canned two triples to help the Seawolves build an early 8-3 lead but Vermont answered with an 8-0 run in two minutes to take an 11-8 edge by the first media timeout. The surge was highlighted by a layup and mid-range jumper from Stef Smith plus a fast-break layup from Ben Shungu.
• The Catamounts stretched the run to 12 unanswered points and led 15-8 by the 12-minute mark. The Seawolves countered with two more three-pointers from Juan Felix Rodriguez and Mouhamadou Gueye to claw within 18-14 with 10:39 left on the clock.  
• Justin Mazzulla helped the Green and Gold build a double-digit lead after draining a left-wing three and made a pair at the stripe. Tomas Murphy hit a baby hook-shot in the paint as the Cats led 28-18 at the eight-minute media timeout.
• Stony Brook netted eight straight points in three minutes and cut the margin to 28-26 by the 4:45 mark. Robin Duncan buried a corner three to stop the run but SBU's Franking Policelli answered with a triple of his own to keep it a one-score game.
• Ryan Davis scored the final four points of the period as the Cats went into the locker room with a 35-29 edge.
• The Green and Gold managed to stretch their lead to a 10-point margin twice to start the second half. Near the midway point, Bailey Patella came through with back-to-back dunks including a steal and a fast-break flush to give UVM a 53-43 edge.
• The Seawolves fought back once again with seven unanswered points and came within 53-50 after Gueye converted an and-one chance on a dunk and free throw. Davis halted the run with a triple from the left wing and Smith added two free throws to push the lead to 60-52.
• Leading 62-58 with 6:37 left in the game, the Catamounts put the game out of reach with an 11-2 surge. Smith buried back-to-back triples and Davis threw down a monster dunk, then hit the ensuing free throw after he was fouled by Gueye on the play. Mazzulla capped off the attack with a fast-break layup from the right side. At the end of the run, the Cats were up 73-60 by the final media timeout.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Smith finished with a game-high 22 points, his second 20-point effort of the season, and made 7-of-12 attempts from the field.  
• Davis registered his third double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 boards. He matched Smith on 7-of-12 shooting.
• Shungu added 13 points, four assists, and two rebounds.
• Mazzulla and Patella rounded out the attack with 10 points apiece.
• Saturday's game was Military Appreciation Day presented by Milton CAT.
• When the Cats Win, Community Wins. With each Catamount win, Vermont Mutual Insurance donates $100 to a local non-profit. For 2020 they donated $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.
• This season People's United Bank, N.A. will again be generously donating $25 to Sara Holbrook Community Center for every three-point shot that the Catamounts make during the regular season home games. With today's eight 3s, the total being donated is now up to $1,800. 

WHO'S NEXT
Vermont and Stony Brook will play again on Sunday (Feb. 14) at 12 p.m. All of the action can be seen 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