the Informer

Led by two-time America East Player of the Year Marqus Blakely, the No. 2 seed Vermont Catamounts stormed through No. 7 seed UMBC, 76-59, in America East quarterfinal action Saturday night at Chase Family Arena.

Vermont dominated early on, snatching momentum and an 18-point lead in the first 10 minutes of play. Blakely, the America East Defensive Player of the Year, was a terror on the glass with 12 rebounds, including eight offensive for Vermont. The 6-foot-5 forward added 18 points, five assists and three blocks.

UMBC cut the lead to 38-26 but Pat Bergmann’s layup sent Vermont back up by 14 and into the locker room with a 40-26 advantage. UMBC would never get closer.

Blakely scored five quick points as the Catamounts opened the second half with a 7-0 run to stretch the lead to 21, an advantage UMBC failed to recover from.

“I didn’t come down here to get in a war,” Blakely said after the game, which was physical throughout. “I came down here to win two games and go to the championship game.”

Vermont forward Evan Fjeld also contributed a double-double and former Michigan State Spartan Maurice Joseph had a team-high 19 points, including four 3-pointers.

“I was really proud of our effort tonight,” said Vermont Head Coach Mike Lonergan. “Our guys came out to play. Maurice [Joseph] got out to a quick start and hit some shots early, and Marqus [Blakely] just did a great job rebounding and all‐around put up huge numbers for us.”

With the victory, Vermont continues its postseason run vs. the winner of tonight’s Maine/New Hampshire game. Earlier in the day, No 1 seed Stony Brook took care of business against Albany, defeating the Great Danes 68-59. Later in the afternoon, No. 4 seed BU demolished fifth-seeded Hartford as Jake O’brien scorched the Hawks for a career-high 28 points.