Two-time America East Player of the Year Taylor Coppenrath set an America East Championship record with 43 points to lead Vermont to a 72-53 win over Maine in the title game of the Choice Hotels International America East Championship Saturday at Patrick Gym. Vermont, which has now won back-to-back conference championships, earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
Coppernath, who had not played since Febraury 15 due to a broken bone in his left wrist, showed no sign of rust by scoring 28 of his career-high 43 points in the first half, as the Catamounts built a 40-23 lead at the break. He was named the winner of the Reggie Lewis Award as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player despite playing just one of the Catamounts' three games. He was 14-of-19 from the floor, 14-of-15 at the line and added 13 rebounds.
Germain Njila, who added 13 points, and T.J. Sorrentine joined Coppenrath on the all-championship team. Eric Dobson, who had a team-high 11 points for the Black Bears, and D.J. Munir of Stony Brook were the other selections.
The Catamounts (22-8) await Sunday's NCAA selections. Maine closes its season at 20-10.