Despite playing four games in just eight days — three of which were on the road — the men’s basketball team was able to take three out of four and improve their record to 4-2 on the year. Vermont was able to beat Marist, Old Dominion and Siena, with the lone loss against Long Island University.
The eight-day marathon began at the Hall of Fame Tip-Off in Uncasville, Conn., where Vermont played games on back-to-back days.
In the opening game of the tournament, UVM defeated Marist 84-75 behind 22 points from first-year Four McGlynn and 19 points from sophomore Luke Apfeld — both are career highs. Sophomore Brian Voelkel filled the stat sheet, recording nine points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Vermont advanced to the championship game where they were defeated by Long Island University 80-75. Voelkel once again led the way for the Catamounts, recording 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. McGlynn once again scored in double figures with 11, while senior Matt Glass and junior Ben Crenca each scored 10 points apiece. Overall six different Catamounts scored eight or more points in the contest.
After three days off, the Catamounts returned to action against Old Dominion in Norfolk, Va. on Nov. 23 where they were able to defeat the Monarchs 65-63 in overtime.
Led by Apfeld’s 15 points, the Catamounts were able to accomplish a task that few opponents of Old Dominion have been able to achieve in the last few years: winning in their gym. Old Dominion had won 31 of its last 34 and 47 of its last 53 games in their building before the Catamounts’ overtime victory.
In an interview with Athletic Communications, head coach John Becker appreciated the significance of the victory.
“That was a great win for our program — we have a lot of respect for Old Dominion and their coaching staff,” Becker said. “I give our players a lot of credit — we battled after getting down 12 early in the second half, and we were fortunate to make a couple shots late.”
After a five-game road trip to open the season the Catamounts returned home to face Sienna on Nov. 26. In a back-and-forth contest, UVM needed every second on the clock to put away the Saints 64-62.
The game was tied with 25 seconds left as UVM ran their offense and were able to get junior Brendan Bald a good look from the right wing. The shot rattled off the rim high into the air where Matt Glass was able to tip in the game-winning bucket as time expired.
Glass, whose would-be game-tying tip-in against South Florida was discounted weeks earlier, finished the game with 13 points to lead Vermont scorers. Voelkel had another typical game, finishing with seven points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.
The Catamounts now stand at 4-2 with victories over prestigious mid-major programs such as Old Dominion and Siena.
UVM will look to continue their out-of-conference success as they host Harvard on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
