Bearcat men fall in Vermont

1/16/2013 (Updated 11:00:11 PM)

BURLINGTON, Vt.  Reserve Trey Blue dropped in 17 first-half points and Vermont (11-6, 4-1 AE) held visiting Binghamton (2-16, 0-5 AE) to six second-half field goals in a 61-37 Catamount win Wednesday night from Patrick Gymnasium.

Down 12 at the break, BU missed its first four shots and hit just 3-of-12 to start the second half. Vermont totaled 20 points around the rim in the final frame as its ball movement and offensive rebounding solved the Bearcats 2-3 zone. Offensively, the Bearcats shot just 29 percent in the final period to wipe out any comeback bid.

Were struggling right now and are in a tough part of our schedule, head coach Tommy Dempsey said. I dont question our energy level and effort but we are obviously struggling to put the ball in the basket. We dont have a lot of depth and its hard for us to score. Theyll be better days  well stay united and keep fighting.

Junior center Roland Brown netted six of his 10 points in the second half to pace Binghamton. Brown, who converted all five field goal attempts, hit a 12 footer with 11:27 left that brought the Bearcats to within 13, 43-30. But Vermont outscored BU 18-7 to end the game.

Vermont used the three-ball to build a 12-point halftime lead. The Bearcats outshot the Catamounts 50 percent to 41 percent but Vermont turned five three-pointers and an 11-0 run late in the half into the intermission cushion. Binghamton hurt its cause with 11 turnovers in the opening period (21 for game).

Blue hit 6-of-9 shots in the first half (17 pts.) and his eight points in a 1:16 span pushed Vermont ahead 18-8 halfway through the period. After BU cut its deficit to five on a three-pointer from senior guard Mike Horn with 6:53 left, Blue again ignited the Catamounts. He scored five points during the 11-0 run that featured three treys.

Down 16 late in the half, freshman guard Jordan Reed tallied four points in the final 2:28 to bring the Bearcats to within 12, 34-22 at the break.

Reed produced 10 points to tie Brown for team-high honors. For Reed, it was the 15th time in 16 collegiate games that he reached double figures. Horn knocked down a pair of three-pointers for a career-high six points in a career-high 37 minutes. Brown (5-for-5 FG) added five rebounds and three steals in 25 solid minutes.

The Bearcats continue their five-day, two-game swing on Saturday at Maine.

NOTES
Brown and Blue were selected as the America East Players of the Game  Reed entered the game ranked 21st in the country in double-doubles (7) and third among freshmen in rebounds per game (9.4 rpg.). He began the week leading the America East in rebounding and third in scoring (15.8 ppg.) ... the Bearcats played the game without guards Rayner Moquete and Karon Waller.

(Courtesy: BU Athletics)

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