FINAL SCORE: Vermont 86, UMBC 59
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Aaron Deloney poured in a game-high 20 points to lead Vermont (22-5, 14-1 AE) in an 86-59 victory over UMBC (13-13, 8-7 AE) on Saturday afternoon at Patrick Gym. The Catamounts wore special edition jerseys for the Rally Against Cancer Game, which are being auctioned live on UVMathletics.com/auctions.
 
RELATED LINKS
CatamounTV Highlights
Box Score: Web | PDF
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"It was a great win today, right from the jump I thought our guys came out focused," Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker said. "It was good to have Ryan back obviously, who had 18 points in 18 minutes and to have Finn back, as well. Aaron Deloney was great off the bench and he got hot in the second half. Isaiah Powell, when he plays like that, we're really hard to beat. He was tough on the glass, made great passes, and finished at the rim. It was just a good collective team effort against a UMBC team that's won seven of nine games. It was a great effort, it's good to be home, and thanks to the fans for showing up and out and showing us the love."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts and Retrievers exchanged three pointers to open the game, and Ryan Davis put Vermont in front with his 1,000th career point. The senior's basket gave the Cats an early 5-3 lead 2:01 into the game. The conference foes battled through the opening minutes and remained tied until back-to-back scores by Davis who converted on a layup and drilled a trey for a 15-10 lead with 12:48 remaining in the half.
• Vermont's lead grew to double digits when Deloney converted on a layup to put the Cats up 25-14 with 9:31 left in the opening frame. The Catamounts maintained their double-digit lead and outscored UMBC 15-6 in the final 5:47 of the half to take a 46-27 lead at the break.  
• UVM's offense continued in the second half to stretch its lead to 30-points on Deloney's triple with 9:49 to play. The Vermont guard rattled off 12 points in a span of 3:56 to put the Catamounts up 84-50 with 6:17 left in regulation. The 34-point lead was Vermont's largest of the afternoon.
• UMBC closed out the game on a 9-2 run to bring the UVM lead down to 27 points.. Georges Lefebvre made a layup with 1:29 for Vermont's basket.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Deloney's game-high 20 points came on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, including a 3-for-5 outing from beyond the arc. The junior made 12 of his 20 points in the second half. Deloney also picked up two rebounds and dished out two assists.
• Davis tallied 18 points in his return to action. The senior was a very efficient 8-for-10 from the field. Davis became the 41st player in program history to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
• Ben Shungu added 15 points on the afternoon and dished out four assists. The guard made 3-of-5 attempts from long range.
• With today's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to COTS, the Committee on Temporary Shelter, as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. 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 Wednesday (Feb. 23) when they visit Binghamton in Vestal, New York. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at the Binghamton Events Center and can be seen 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 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