FINAL SCORE: Vermont 71, New Hampshire 50
DURHAM, N.H. – Vermont (21-5, 13-1 AE) secured its sixth-straight America East Regular Season Title with a 71-50 victory on Wednesday night at New Hampshire (12-11, 7-7 AE). UVM became the first school in Division I this season to clinch a regular season title.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score: Web | PDF
Highlights
Trophy Presentation
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Congratulations to Catamount Country on our sixth consecutive regular season championship," Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker said. "A credit to our great fans, talented and hard-working players, and incredible staff. We can't wait to get home and share this with everyone."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first 4:04, hitting five of their first seven field goals for a 14-4 lead. Justin Mazzulla and Ben Shungu each registered a pair of triples in the early attack as Vermont was 4-for-6 from deep to start the game.
• UVM's hot shooting continued as the Catamounts embarked on a 15-4 run to take a 29-10 lead before the midway point of the first half. Mazzulla had already bested his season-high with 14 points in the game's first 9:34. Vermont's lead would expand to 20 points when Shungu converted on a layup to put the Cats up 40-20 with 2:50 to play in the first frame. The Catamounts would take a 42-25 halftime lead.
• Vermont opened the second half on a 20-5 run in the first 8:51 to stretch its lead to 32 points as Shungu put the Catamounts up 62-30. The lead was UVM's largest of the night.
• New Hampshire responded with a 10-0 run to cut the deficit, trailing 62-40 with 8:30 left in the game. The Twin State rivals exchanged baskets down the stretch with Vermont securing a 21-point victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• UVM's active streak of six straight conference regular season titles is the second-longest in the country, behind only Gonzaga (9).
• Becker's win is his 250th at Vermont. The UVM bench boss ranks No. 3 on the program's all-time wins list behind Tom Brennan (264) and John "Fuzzy" Evans (260).
• Shungu led the Catamounts with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including a 3-for-5 night from deep. The guard has averaged 25.5 points in two games against New Hampshire this season. Shungu also pulled in two rebounds and dished out two assists.
• Mazzulla capped off his season's best output with 21 points. The fifth-year senior sank 7-of-10 attempts from the field with a career-high six three pointers.

UP NEXT
Vermont returns home to Patrick Gym on Saturday (Feb. 19) when it hosts UMBC in the annual Rally Against Cancer Game, to benefit the UVM Cancer Center. Tip-off is slated for 12 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday. Saturday's game will broadcast live on ESPN 3 with Rob Ryan and Bernie Cieplicki on the call. 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 via the Varsity Network App with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
 
Key Motors of South Burlington is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball