by P.J. Wright
BURLINGTON, V.T —
Following a competitive, defense-driven first half that concluded in a 29-29 tie, the Northeastern men’s basketball team was outscored by five points in the second and fell to the University of Vermont, 75-70, on Sunday afternoon at Patrick Gymnasium.
The Huskies (5-6) fell behind by as much as 13 points with 2:50 remaining, but wouldn’t go down without a fight. A pair of threes from Bolden Brace and two more from Jordan Roland and Jason Strong had the Huskies within six with just over a minute to go. Brace had an opportunity to bring it to three with 1:05 remaining, but couldn’t get the triple to go.
“You almost have to play a perfect game given our situation in order to get back,” said Northeastern coach Bill Coen. “We really couldn’t capitalize when they took that extended lead in the second half.”
Roland had a game-high 20 points (8-16 FG, 2-8 3PT), while Jason Strong had 13 points and six rebounds. Donnell Gresham Jr. added 12 points.
Coming off a 37-point game against Harvard on Dec. 8, UVM forward Anthony Lamb was held to just two points in the first half but erupted for 15 after halftime to lead the Catamounts (8-3) with 17 points to go with a game-high eight rebounds.
“First half, I thought we did a pretty good job on him — second half he came alive,” Coen said of the Preseason All-America East forward. “But that’s the sign of a really good player. He’s going to find his way to exert his will on the game and he played a huge second half for them.
The Huskies will be back in action on Friday at noon, with St. Bonaventure coming into Matthews Arena. Last season, the Bonnies upended the Huskies, 84-65, in Olean, N.Y. Justin Littman and Matt MacCormack will be on the call on WRBB 104.9 FM.