FINAL SCORE: Vermont 64, UMBC 55
BURLNGTON, Vt. – TJ Hurley recorded a team-high 18 points on Thursday night as Vermont (14-8, 6-1 AE) defeated UMBC (12-8, 5-2 AE) 64-55 from Patrick Gym. With the win, Catamounts sit in 1^st place in the America East Standings.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score
Highlights
Postgame Press Conference
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vermont opened with an 11-5 lead at the 16-minute media timeout, fueled by two three-pointers from TJ Hurley and one from Ben Michaels.
• UMBC narrowed the gap by attacking the rim and drawing Vermont fouls, but the Catamounts maintained a 14-11 lead with 11:56 left in the first half.
• Ben Johnson hit a corner three, but the Retrievers took control over the next four minutes, leading 21-20 at the 8-minute media timeout.
• With 3:31 left in the half, UMBC led 25-23.
• A three-pointer from Lucas Mari tied the game at 29 heading into halftime. TJ Hurley led Vermont with 8 points at the break.
• Both teams traded baskets early in the second half, but a Gus Yalden hook shot put Vermont ahead 40-38 with 15:10 remaining.
• Vermont went on an 8-2 run, highlighted by threes from Ben Johnson and TJ Hurley, to lead 48-40 at the 12-minute media timeout.
• Vermont's offense slowed over the next four minutes, but the Catamounts still led 51-44 with 7:48 remaining.
• Ben Johnson and Lucas Mari hit consecutive threes for Vermont, extending the lead to 57-51 with four minutes left.
• Lucas Mari sealed the win with a three-pointer, as Vermont secured a 64-55 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Hurley led the team with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three. This marked his third consecutive game as Vermont's leading scorer.
• Lucas Mari scored 16 points and Ben Johnson added 11, the only other Catamounts to reach double figures.
• Sean Blake recorded a career-high 10 rebounds to lead the team.
• The Catamounts shot 40.8% from the field, topping the Retriever's 32.7%.
• Blake and Gus Yalden each contributed a team-high five assists.
• Ben Michaels led the team with two blocks.
• With today's Win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to The Ronald McDonald House through the Cat's Win, Community Win's initiative. Vermont Mutual has donated over $6 Million Dollars since launching their Charitable Giving Fund in 2014.

 
UP NEXT
The Catamounts will host NJIT on Saturday (Jan. 31) from Patrick Gym. Tip-off is slated for 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan and Bernie Cieplicki on the call. The radio broadcast will available via the Varsity Network App with Brian McLaughlin on the call. Saturday's game will be the Vermont Construction Company Replica Jersey Giveaway. The first 500 fans can receive a free replica basketball jersey, courtesy of Vermont Construction Company
 
Vermont Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor of 2025-26 Vermont Men's Basketball Season