In a thrilling college basketball matchup, the Vermont Catamounts edged out the Western New England Golden Bears, 75-68. The game took place in Burlington, Vt., and honestly, it was one to remember.
TJ Long was the name on everyone’s lips, leading the Catamounts with 18 points. His shooting was sharp—he hit 6 of 13 from the field, and knocked down 4 of 9 from deep.
Long also went 2 for 3 at the line, just adding to his impact. You could tell he was locked in, and his confidence seemed contagious.
Key Performances: Vermont Catamounts
TJ Hurley chipped in 14 points, showing off his smooth shot. He went 4 of 8 from the floor and was flawless at the stripe, sinking all five attempts.
His three-point shooting wasn’t quite there (just 1 for 4), but his overall presence mattered. Hurley’s energy kept the Catamounts rolling.
David Simon’s Perfect Shooting
David Simon quietly put up 10 points, and get this—he didn’t miss a shot, going 4 for 4 from the field. Free throws weren’t as kind to him (2 for 5), but you can’t argue with perfection from the floor.
Western New England’s Standout Players
The Golden Bears had their own bright spots. Cody Palazzesi was a force, dropping 26 points and swiping three steals along the way.
He was all over the court, making things tough for Vermont. Palazzesi’s hustle really stood out.
Luka Vlajkovic’s Impact
Luka Vlajkovic added 15 points, keeping Western New England in the mix. He played with real grit, and his effort was obvious on every possession.
Matt Houde’s All-Around Game
Matt Houde did a bit of everything—14 points and nine assists. He found his teammates in all the right spots, making the offense click when they needed it most.
Game Analysis
This one was close, with both teams trading punches on offense and defense. Vermont’s shooting efficiency made a difference, especially when it counted.
With several players in double figures, the Catamounts kept Western New England guessing. It’s hard to lock in on just one guy when everyone’s contributing.
Defensive Strategies
Defense was intense on both sides. Vermont limited the Golden Bears’ looks, while Palazzesi’s quick hands led Western New England’s efforts to disrupt the Catamounts.
Key Moments
- TJ Long’s clutch 3-pointers: He hit some big ones when the Catamounts needed a lift.
- David Simon’s perfect shooting: Every shot he took seemed to drop, giving Vermont a boost.
- Matt Houde’s playmaking: Those nine assists weren’t just numbers—he set the table for his guys all night.
Looking Ahead
This win gives Vermont a nice bit of momentum. Their knack for stepping up in tight spots could pay off as the schedule gets tougher.
Western New England’s Prospects
The Golden Bears showed plenty of fight. With guys like Palazzesi, Vlajkovic, and Houde leading the way, there’s a solid base to build on.
If they can shore up the defense and get a few more shots to fall, who knows? They might start flipping these close games into wins.
Upcoming Challenges
Both squads have work to do. Vermont will try to keep the streak alive, while Western New England looks to regroup and grab a win next time out.
It’s early, and there’s a lot of basketball left. No one’s writing the final chapter just yet.
The game between Vermont and Western New England really put skill and strategy on display. Both teams showed a lot of determination out there.
Players from each side had some standout moments. The contest was close enough to keep fans genuinely excited from start to finish.
If you want more details on how it all played out, check out the full article on Fox Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
