Vermont defeats Merrimack 66-59
Merrimack Falls Short at Vermont's Home Court
In a tightly contested non-conference matchup, the University of Vermont (Vermont) hosted Merrimack College at Patrick Gymnasium on Sunday evening. The Cats came away with a 66-59 victory, handing their visitors from New Hampshire their first loss of the season.
The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage in the first half. Vermont's Noah Barnett led the way for his team, scoring 16 points on an impressive 66.7% shooting clip, while Gus Yalden added 10 points and seven rebounds.
At halftime, Vermont held a slim 30-21 lead, but Merrimack refused to back down. The Warriors began to chip away at the deficit in the second half, thanks in part to Kevair Kennedy's 20 points on 50% shooting from the field. KC Ugwuakazi added eight rebounds and nine points for Merrimack.
Despite trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half, Vermont made a concerted effort to close the gap in the second half. Sean Blake chipped in with five assists and 14 points, helping his team stay within striking distance.
The margin of victory remained relatively small throughout the second half, but Vermont's bench proved to be a key factor in the outcome. The Cats' reserves outscored Merrimack's bench by a significant margin, contributing to their 7-point final advantage.
In the end, Vermont's home court and strong defensive play were too much for the visiting Warriors to overcome. The loss snaps Merrimack's winning streak, while Vermont's win improves their standing in non-conference play.
Key Stats
* Vermont: Noah Barnett (16 points), Gus Yalden (7 rebounds)
* Merrimack: Kevair Kennedy (20 points)
Team Statistics
Vermont:
* Field Goals: 21/50 (42.0%)
* Free Throws: 20/24 (83.0%)
Merrimack:
* Field Goals: 20/51 (39.0%)
* Free Throws: 13/16 (81.0%)
Game Flow
* Halftime: Vermont led 30-21
* Final Margin: 7 points
* Largest Leads: Vermont 16, Merrimack 0