Vermont secured a 67-62 victory over Maine at Patrick Gymnasium, driven by a strong performance from TJ Hurley, who led the Catamounts with 18 points. The win marked Vermont's 13th of the season, as they improved their record to 13-8. Maine, meanwhile, fell to 5-17, struggling to overcome the balanced attack of the Catamounts.
The first half saw Vermont take control, with the Catamounts leading 32-30 at the break. TJ Hurley and Sean Blake set the tone early, combining for 21 points in the half. Maine's Keelan Steele kept the Black Bears within striking distance, scoring 10 points in the first 20 minutes. Steele would go on to finish with 17 points and 5 rebounds, leading Maine in both categories.
In the second half, Vermont maintained its lead, thanks in part to the play of Ben Johnson, who chipped in 14 points for the Catamounts. Sean Blake added 17 points and 6 assists, showcasing his all-around skills. The Catamounts' ability to spread the scoring load and find open shots ultimately proved too much for Maine to handle.
Despite a strong effort from Maine, Vermont's advantage never dipped below 5 points in the final 10 minutes. The Black Bears made several pushes, but the Catamounts consistently responded with clutch baskets. Logan Carey and TJ Biel provided sparks for Maine, with Carey dishing out 7 assists and Biel grabbing 7 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
With this win, Vermont adds a Quadrant 4 victory to its resume, which may not significantly boost their tournament chances but does help to pad their win total. For Maine, the loss represents a Quadrant 3 defeat, which, while not ideal, is somewhat expected given the disparity in the teams' records and rankings. Vermont's current net ranking of 203 suggests they still have work to do to become a serious tournament contender, but this win keeps them on track.
The victory for Vermont is a reflection of the team's resilience and ability to close out games. As the season wears on, the Catamounts must continue to find ways to win against teams like Maine, which may not be as highly regarded but can still pose a challenge. With their 13-8 record, Vermont remains in the hunt for a strong finish to the season, and performances like TJ Hurley's 18-point outing matters in achieving that goal. The win may not have major implications for Vermont's tournament chances, but it does help to build momentum and confidence as the team looks to make a push in the coming weeks.