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Junior Candon Rusin scored 18 off the bench to lead the team in scoring, all three-pointers, while three other Cats also scored in double digit as Vermont beat UMBC 85-72.

The win puts the team in their eighth America East Championship game in 12 seasons.

Junior Luke Apfeld and Freshman Ethan OÕDay each put in sixteen junior Clancy Rugg added eleven.

UMBC though took a 40-37 lead into the half. They pushed their lead to eight before a ten-to-nothing run by Vermont fueled by a four-point play by Rusin and an and-one for Apfeld.

After taking a 52-50 lead with 14:11 to play in the game, the Catamounts did not look, hitting half their field-goal attempts plus eleven free throws over the final eleven minutes. UMBCÕs Ryan Cook led all scorers with 20.

Vermont will now host Albany in the America East Championship game March 16 at Patrick Gym. The game is scheduled for an 11:30am tipoff.

The Catamounts are seeking their third America East title in four years and sixth all-time all since 2003.