Picture this: A thrilling home victory that not only boosts the spirits of Vermont fans but also ignites debates about defensive strategies in college basketball. The Catamounts edged out Merrimack in a nail-biting affair, proving that grit and smart plays can turn the tide. But here's where it gets controversial—could this win redefine how we view underdog teams in the NCAA? Stick around to dive into the details and see what really unfolded on the court!
Men’s Basketball Triumphs Over Merrimack 66-59 in a Sunday Home Clash
Final Score: Vermont 66, Merrimack 59
BURLINGTON, Vt. – In a pulse-pounding matchup at Patrick Gymnasium, the University of Vermont's men's basketball squad dominated Merrimack College, showcasing stellar play on their annual Youth Day event sponsored by Healthy Living. Noah Barnett emerged as a standout, racking up a personal best of 16 points and snagging two steals to help lift Vermont (now 7-5) past Merrimack (6-7) in a 66-59 decision.
For those new to basketball, think of a steal as when a player cleverly intercepts the opponent's pass, turning potential scoring opportunities into turnovers—it's like stealing the ball right out of their hands mid-play, adding excitement and momentum to the game.
Related Links
- Box Score (https://uvmathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2025-26/merrimack/boxscore/6616)
- CatamounTV Highlights (https://youtu.be/_exKHvKHwQw)
Coach's Insights
'It was a fantastic victory against a solid Merrimack squad, known for their challenging 2-3 zone defense—imagine a strategy where two players guard the perimeter and three focus on the paint, making it tough to score inside. We excelled at creating open shots, and as I reminded the team, solid defense is the key to winning. I've been impressed with our defensive efforts in the last couple of games. Sean Blake has shown real improvement on offense and defense, and Noah Barnett turned in one of his strongest performances as a Catamount. For beginners, a 2-3 zone is a defensive setup that prioritizes blocking drives to the basket while contesting outside shots, often forcing teams to rethink their plays—it's a classic tactic that sparks endless debates among coaches and fans about its effectiveness against different lineups.'
The Game Breakdown
- To kick things off, Noah Barnett secured the opening tip-off for UVM, setting the stage for Gus Yalden to sink Vermont's first basket just 31 seconds in. Yalden grabbed an offensive rebound—think of it as chasing down a missed shot and keeping possession alive—and nailed a bank shot, giving the Catamounts an early 2-0 lead. (An offensive rebound, for newcomers, is when your team recovers a missed shot on the offensive end, maintaining control and often leading to second-chance points.)
- Before the first media timeout at 15:40, Sean Blake spearheaded an 8-4 run for UVM, pushing the score to 10-4. He nailed two gritty layups—those are close-range shots where a player jumps and shoots while driving toward the hoop—and was joined by contributions from Noah Barnett and Yalden.
- TJ Long widened Vermont's edge to nine points with 11:34 left in the first half, hitting a fiercely defended three-pointer right in front of the Merrimack bench, making it 17-8. (A three-pointer is worth three points and often comes from beyond the arc, exciting crowds when made under pressure.)
- Ben Johnson countered a Merrimack 5-0 surge with 8:22 remaining in the opening period, sinking his first triple of the game after Lucas Mari's offensive rebound created space through smart ball movement. This three also marked Johnson's 1,000th career point, making him the second Catamount this season to hit that milestone. Vermont held a 20-13 lead.
- The Catamounts closed the first half with a 10-8 run, featuring an explosive dunk from Barnett—who drew a foul and added the free throw—and Johnson's second three from the corner. Vermont headed into halftime up 30-21.
- Vermont surged ahead 41-27 with 15:27 left in the second half, starting with an 11-6 burst that included Yalden's two layups and Barnett's five free throws, including one extra point after an and-one play. (An and-one means scoring while drawing a foul, earning a free throw bonus.)
- TJ Hurley notched his game's first points at 10:37, burying a long-range three to keep UVM's double-digit lead at 48-38.
- Merrimack narrowed the gap to single digits at 10:08, with Ernest Shelton's layup leaving Vermont ahead 48-40.
- Barnett thrilled the Patrick Gymnasium crowd at 7:50, slamming a powerful two-hand dunk after a pass from Blake, extending UVM's lead to 52-40.
- Merrimack mounted a comeback before the final media timeout at 3:54, logging a 12-3 run with contributions from five players to close within three points, 55-52 for Vermont.
- TJ Long's consecutive turnaround jump shots—those are smooth, mid-range shots where you pivot and shoot over defenders—lifted the Catamounts to 60-54, prompting a timeout with 1:25 remaining.
- Long sealed the win by scoring Vermont's final six points, capping a 66-59 home triumph and kicking off a successful three-game homestand.
And this is the part most people miss: The late-game resilience of both teams highlights the unpredictability of basketball—do you think Merrimack's comeback strategy was flawed, or could it have tipped the scales if they'd capitalized earlier? It's moments like these that fuel heated discussions among fans.
Diving into the Stats
- Barnett logged a personal-best 32 minutes, scoring 16 points on four of six field goals and eight of 10 free throws. He also pulled down five rebounds, including four offensive ones (tying his career high for the fourth time), and recorded two steals (matching his career high for the third time).
- Yalden grabbed a season-high seven rebounds, with five offensive, alongside 10 points and one block. (A block is when a defender swats away an opponent's shot, preventing a score and energizing the team.)
- Blake went six-for-seven from the field for 14 points, dished out a team-best five assists, and secured four rebounds.
- Long contributed 13 points, four rebounds, and two steals.
- Johnson reached 1,000 career points with six points from two threes and a season-high five rebounds.
- Vermont dominated the boards 34-28, their fifth-highest rebounding game this season, and posted nine assists to Merrimack's eight while committing fewer turnovers (seven versus nine).
- The Catamounts scored 28 points in the paint compared to Merrimack's 24. (Paint points refer to scores inside the key area near the basket, often indicating strong interior play.)
- As part of today's victory, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will contribute $100 to the Lund Family Center via their Cat's Win, Community Wins initiative. Since starting their charitable fund in 2014, Vermont Mutual has given over $5 million to causes.
Looking Ahead
With this Merrimack win under their belt, the Catamounts have three days to gear up for their next home challenge against MAAC rival Siena on Wednesday, December 7, at Patrick Gymnasium. Tip-off is at 7 p.m., with live coverage on ESPN+ and radio via the Varsity Network App, hosted by Brian McLaughlin.
Vermont Federal Credit Union proudly sponsors the 2024-25 Vermont Men's Basketball Season.
What do you think—does strong defense truly win games, as the coach suggests, or is offensive firepower the real game-changer? And here's a controversial twist: Some argue that relying on rebounds and steals overshadows skill; do you agree, or should we celebrate these gritty aspects more? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you side with the Catamounts' approach, or does Merrimack deserve credit for their late rally? Let's discuss!
