Burlington, VT - Northern Vermont University-Lyndon competed on even terms with the University of Vermont in the early going of Thursday night's contest at Patrick Gymnasium. Eventually the Division I Catamounts used their size and athleticism advantage to force multiple Hornet turnovers and pull away for a 101-63 victory. The game was an exhibition for Lyndon but a countable contest for UVM, the defending America East Conference champions, who improved to 3-7 on the season.
Vermont's Dylan Penn scored inside on the game's first possession, but Mondwell Bukle (Pyeongtaek, South Korea) responded with a three-pointer to give Lyndon the lead. After the Catamounts' Aaron Deloney and the Hornets' Aiden Trapani (Deltona, FL) traded baskets, Matt Veretto scored inside to give Vermont a 6-5 lead. However another Bukle three made it 8-6, Lyndon.
A quick 6-0 Vermont run put the Catamounts up four, but the Hornets continued to hang around, eventually pulling even at 20-20 following another Bukle three with 12:12 to go in the opening half.
Vermont started to assert itself with a 14-2 run over the next several minutes. Ileri Ayo-Faleye's jumper made it 34-22, Catamounts with 7:46 to go. UVM gradually extended their lead, and took a 53-37 advantage into halftime.
The Hornets were able to compete on relatively even terms over the first 11 minutes of the second half. After an Antonio Carlisle (St. Johnsbury, VT) three-pointer, the Vermont lead was 79-58 with 9:30 to go. The Hornets were unable to make any more headway, however, as Vermont outscored Lyndon 22-5 over the game's final nine minutes to account for the final score.
Robin Duncan topped five double figure scorers for Vermont, finishing with 18 points and seven rebounds. Deloney added 16 points and four assists. TJ Hurley, Sam Alamutu, and Perry Smith Jr. also reached double figures with 15, 12, and 10 points respectively.
Bukle paced Lyndon with a game high 23 points, making seven of 10 shots from behind the three-point arc. Carlisle was the only other Hornet in double figures, finishing with 18 points.
Vermont dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Hornets, 39-22. The Catamounts also capitalized on 27 Lyndon turnovers which they converted into 37 points.
Lyndon will return to action on Saturday afternoon when they open North Atlantic Conference play by hosting the University of Maine at Farmington. Tip-off in Stannard Gymnasium is set for 3:00 pm.
