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

Seven-game winning streak snapped

The University of Vermont’s Men’s basketball team fell 69-64 Thursday night at Patrick Gymnasium to America East foe Maine.Maine ended the game on a 13-2 run over the final three and a half minutes, capped by an off the backboard three pointer by Kevin Reed, giving the Black Bears a 67-64 lead. Two foul shots in the final seconds iced the game for Maine. With the win, Maine improves to 8-11 overall and 3-4 in America East.The loss is Vermont’s first in America East play, and snaps a seven game winningstreak, which dated back to December 17 when Harvard defeated the Catamountsin overtime. UVM now stands at 12-6 overall and 4-1 in America East. The Catamounts started out strong jumping out to an early lead 23-18, thanks to strong play from senior Chris Holm and freshman Marqus Blakely. Holm recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Blakely added seven points and six boards.Maine countered with a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game. Sophomore Mike Trimboli sparked the Catamounts into the half scoring 13 of his 17 points in the first period, and helped grab a 41-36 lead. He added three rebounds and two steals.The Black Bears tightened up the defense in the second half holding Vermont to 26.9 percent from the floor. Maine came out strong in the second half and climbed back into the contest to set up a thrilling finish.Sophomore Colin McIntosh scored a team high 18 points for Vermont and gave the Cats a nice spark off the bench. The Catamounts were able to go on a 7-0 run with 3:27 to go in the game, which was capped by a McIntosh three, giving UVM a 62-56 lead.Maine’s Kevin Reed, who scored 18 points for the Black Bears, sunk back-to-back three pointers to tie the game at 62-62. With 1:11 remaining, Junior Bernal drained a jumper to give Maine the lead, but Trimboli countered on the other end with a nice move to the hole and a lay up.Reed then hit an unbelievable three-pointer off the glass with 40 seconds left to give the Black Bears the lead for good, snapping UVM’s win streak.”Kyle (Cieplicki) was doing a pretty good job on Kevin Reed, but he just hit a tough shot at the end and I give Maine credit for giving it to the right guy down the stretch,” said Vermont head coach Mike Lonergan. “We will learn from tonight’s loss.”The Catamounts hit the road for their next three games before returning to Patrick Gymnasium to take on New Hampshire on January 31 at 7 pm.

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Seven-game winning streak snapped