FINAL SCORE: Vermont 75, Miami (OH) 67
BURLINGTON, Vt. – TJ Hurley (20 points) and Nick Fiorillo (21 points) combined for 41 total points as Vermont defeated Miami (OH) 75-67 from Patrick Gymnasium on Wednesday night during the teams annual Military Appreciation Night Presented by Milton Cat. With the result, the Catamounts elevate to 6-7 overall while the RedHawks drop to 6-4.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score | Box Score (.pdf)
Highlights

POSTGAME MEDIA
Coach Becker
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Hurley got scoring started 52 seconds into opening tip off, driving hard to the paint from the three-point line and taking a step-back mid-range fadeaway, giving the Catamounts an opening lead, 2-0.
• A 7-4 scoring run gave the RedHawks a 7-6 advantage on the scoreboard, but Fiorillo cut into the Miami (OH) run, swishing a three-pointer to re-gain the Vermont lead, putting them ahead by two points, 9-7, with 15:23 remaining in the opening half.
• Prior to the second commercial timeout of the first half, the Catamounts orchestrated a 6-2 scoring run that earned Vermont a 15-9 advantage, highlighted by Hurley and Sean Blake cashing in on two free throws each, and Fiorillo executing a layup after Jace Roquemore finessed a steal on the defensive side of the ball.
• Vermont saw its first double-digit lead with 9:41 left on the clock in the first half, seeing Sam Alamutu and Shy Odom dial up a 7-0 scoring run all by themselves. Odom was good for two layups while Alamutu drained a three-pointer from the top of the arch, earning the Catamounts a 22-11 advantage.
• With 33 seconds remaining in the opening half, Patrick Gymnasium exploded when Hurley got his first three-pointer of the game to fall, getting ahead on a 18-15 scoring run that saw both teams battling back-and-forth. Heading into halftime, the Catamounts led 40-28 behind a team high 16 points from Hurley and 10 points from Fiorillo. 
• Roquemore cut into two opening baskets from the RedHawks to begin the second half, drilling his first three-pointer of the game for his first basket, bringing the Catamounts to a 45-32 lead with 17:43 left of gametime remaining.
• On the very next possession, a Hurley steal resulted in a fast break opportunity, where he found Ileri Ayo-Faleye for an alley-oop jam, his first basket of the game, igniting the Catamount crowd as Vermont took a 47-32 lead with 17:21 remaining on the clock.
• At a media timeout with 11:35 of gametime remaining, Vermont was in favor of an 8-7 scoring run highlighted by a Shamir Bogues layup and an Ayo-Faleye three-pointer. Odom and Fiorillo added a few free-throws in between, earning the Catamounts a 55-39 advantage.
• A 6-2 scoring run from the RedHawks forced UVM to call a 30 second timeout with 9:04 left to play and regroup, still ahead, 57-45.
• Eian Elmer brought the RedHawks back to within single digits after executing an impressive steal and converting it into a layup, but it was short lived as Hurley dialed up an impressive solo effort on the other end, muscling his way through the paint and cashing in on a right hand layup for his sixth basket of the game with 6:43 remaining to play as Vermont held a 59-49 advantage.
• For the next four minutes, the RedHawks clamped the Catamounts down with an intense full court press, orchestrating a 13-3 scoring run to bring them within two points, 64-62, with 2:35 of time left to play.
• Back-to-back blocks from Bogues and Ayo-Faleye led the Catamounts on the attack with less than one minute to play, getting fouled in the process while in the bonus. Bogues was able to cash in on one free throw while Hurley followed with a pair of his own. Vermont led 71-64 with 30 seconds of gametime remaining.
• Ayo-Faleye rocked the rim in emphatic fashion with a two-handed jam as only 15 second remained, sealing the deal, as Vermont walked away with a 75-67 victory over Miami (OH).

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Fiorillo registered a team high 21 points to go along with five rebounds, his third time this season scoring 20+ points. Fiorillo also recorded a new career high 14 made free-throws.
• Hurley notched 20 points to go along with two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. It's Hurley's fourth time this season scoring 20 points or more.
• Bogues was the only other Catamount with double digit scoring, recording 10 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
• Ayo-Faleye tied a game-high seven rebounds, which also tied a season high for him in that category. Ayo-Faleye added nine points, two assists, one steal, and two blocks.
• Roquemore registered a game-high four assists, adding five points, four rebounds, and two steals.
• Alamutu earned a game-high +16 rating from the floor.
• The Catamounts held the RedHawks to 1-15 shooting from deep range.
• Vermont outrebounded Miami (OH) 28-27.
• The Catamounts held the lead for 35:59 total minutes, holding a lead for 90% of the game.
• Vermont's 40 first half points were the most points scored in the opening frame so far this season.
• With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Children's Trust Foundation as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative.

 
UP NEXT
Following the win over the RedHawks, the Catamounts will hit the road for a quick turnaround, gearing up to face Dartmouth on the road for more non-conference action from Hanover, NH on Saturday (Dec. 12). Tip-off is slated for 12 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the game for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield 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 via the Varsity Network App with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
 
McGee Automotive Family is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball