VESTAL, N.Y. --- A strong second half defensive effort and 31 points from Kevin Roberson America East Player of the Year Marqus Blakely and Mike Trimboli gave No. 4 Vermont a 65-57 come-from-behind win over No. 5 Binghamton in the quarterfinals of the 2008 America East Men’s Basketball Championship at the Events Center Saturday afternoon. The Catamounts (16-14) move on to the semifinals to take on top-seeded UMBC Sunday at noon. Box Score.
With the win, Vermont advances to the semifinals for the seventh straight season, the third longest streak in conference history. UVM also improved to 5-0 all-time in conference tournament games at the Events Center including three victories over host Binghamton.
Blakely, who had a team-high 18 points along with nine rebounds, keyed the Catamounts second half defensive stand as UVM limited Binghamton to only 26 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes and 33% for the contest. Also the league’s defensive player of the year, Blakely blocked six shots, to tie for the fifth most in a game in America East Championship history. Trimboli chipped in with 13 points including nine in the deciding second half.
The Bearcats held Vermont to 32 percent from the field and used timely buckets to jump out to a 30-23 advantage at the break. Binghamton twice widened its lead to 11 early in the second half before UVM mounted its comeback tying the game on three occasions. A pair of free throws by Blakely with 4:58 left gave the Catamounts the lead for good.
Binghamton out-rebounded UVM, 40-37, with an 18-12 edge on the offensive glass. Both teams committed only 12 turnovers. Vermont overcame its large deficits by shooting 56 percent in the second half.
The Catamounts received a big boost up front from freshman Evan Fjeld who scored eight points and had nine rebounds. Senior Kyle Cieplicki (Shelburne, Vt./Rice Memorial) added nine points, five rebounds and four assists.
Mike Gordon was outstanding at both ends of the court for the Bearcats (14-16) tallying a game-high 23 points to go with six rebounds. Lazar Trifunovic finished with 10 points, four assists and seven rebounds while Jaan Montgomery added seven boards.