The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

Men’s Basketball Loses a Heartbreaker in Double OT

It’s not often you see a team out-rebound their opponent by more than 20 in one game. It’s even rarer to see a team do so and lose the game, but unfortunately for the men’s basketball team that was the case. The Catamounts had a commanding 61-37 edge on the glass but a disappointing result on the scoreboard as they lost 61-60 in double overtime Wednesday night at Binghamton University.

In a game this odd and exciting, Binghamton forward Sebastian Hermenier managed to net a game-high 17 points, all from the free throw line.

With the loss, Vermont falls to 4-4 in America East, and 8-10 overall. It was the Cats’ second overtime game of the season. Earlier in the season they fell in 85-82 in overtime at Maine. The four conference losses have been by a total of 9 points, with no loss ending in more than a three point deficit.

It was a hard-fought defensive game with the game deadlocked at 47-47 at the end of regulation. Binghamton held Vermont to 32% from the field and a lowly 16% from behind the three-point arc, while UVM did them one better holding the Bearcats to a miserly 28% from the floor and only 15% from three point land.

The one place the Cats couldn’t defend, the free throw line, turned out to be their nemesis. In a foul-ridden game, Binghamton shot 74% from the line, scoring 23 points with the clock stopped. Vermont, on the other hand, struggled, and went only 13-for-22 (59%).

The game was close throughout with 11 ties and 11 lead changes. After a frenzied three-minute stretch to end regulation, Vermont freshman point guard Mike Trimboli tied the game at 47 on a driving layup with 21 seconds remaining.

In the first overtime the Cats got in front first on a Colin McIntosh three-pointer, and managed to lead for held it until just over a minute was left to play. Vermont had the final possession of the first extra period, but Ryan Schneider missed the potential game-winning layup with 3 seconds to play.

Binghamton essentially dominated the second overtime, as they held a four-point lead with under 10 seconds to play. Vermont made a desperation three-pointer, but it was in vain, as there were only 0.5 seconds left to play.

Martin Klimes led the Cats with 12 points, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, but his presence was sorely missed in what proved to be a tight first half after he picked up two quick fouls and was forced to sit for the remaining 15 minutes. McIntosh scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. Trimboli, possibly the top freshman in the conference, had a rough night shooting the ball scoring only 8 points (3-for-19), but dished out 5 assists and collected a career-high 10 rebounds.

Binghamton also got 15 points from Andre Heard and 10 points from Mike Gordon. Duane Jones, coming off the bench, chipped in with 10 points for the Bearcats who also held onto first-place in America East (6-1, 9-9 overall) with the win.

The Catamounts’ next home game will be Saturday February 4th when they host Binghamton. Tip-off is set for 1:00 pm.

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Men’s Basketball Loses a Heartbreaker in Double OT