Smith Tallies 16 points but Men’s Hoops Falls 73-67 to Vermont

Wednesday, February 24

Burlington, Vt.

7 PM

University of New Hampshire

17-11, 10-5AE

University of Vermont

18-12, 10-5AE

New Hampshire

Vermont

Photo by: Greg Greene

Smith Tallies 16 points but Men’s Hoops Falls 73-67 to Vermont

2/24/2016 10:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Junior Jaleen Smith (Freeport, Texas) finished with 16 points and three rebounds as the University of New Hampshire men's basketball team fell 73-67 to the University of Vermont, Wednesday night at Patrick Gymnasium.

UNH now sits at 17-11 overall and 10-5 in conference play. With the loss, the Wildcats now hold the fourth spot in the standings with one game remaining. Vermont improves to 18-12 overall and 10-5 in the league and they hold the tie breaker.

NEXT UP
New Hampshire returns home to wrap up the regular season with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on Saturday, Feb. 27 (noon) for Senior and Alumni Day. Limited tickets are available so be sure to visit UNHWildcats.com/tickets or call the box office at 603-862-4000.

The Wildcats have clinched a home playoff game for the America East Playoffs Quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 2 (7:30 p.m.). Tickets are on sale now at the Whittemore Center Box Office or online HERE or on the phone at 603-862-4000. Opponent and start time will be announced soon.

HIGHLIGHTS

UNH went 13 of 13 from the free throw line.
The Wildcats scored 16 second-chance points to Vermont's nine.
New Hampshire overcame 28.6 percent shooting in the first half with a 43.8 mark in the final frame.
Four Wildcats recorded double-digits – Smith (16), Jacoby Armstrong (Sachse, Texas) (15), Ronnel Jordan (San Antonio, Texas) (15) and Tanner Leissner (Converse, Texas) (13).

HOW IT HAPPENED
Vermont jumped out to a 10-4 lead, 7:42 into the first half. Sophomore Iba Camara (Dakar, Senegal) scored both baskets for UNH and finished the first half seven boards. With 8:09 to go, Vermont claimed its largest lead in the half, 20-10, on a Cam Ward finish and free throw.

The Wildcats stormed back, going on a 12-2 run to bring the score even at 22 apiece with 4:14 to go in the opening frame. Jordan drilled two 3-pointers during the run while Armstrong, Leissner and Smith scored two points each.

Vermont's Dre Wills broke the Wildcat stretch with a jumper and Nate Rohrer pushed the Catamount lead to four points, 26-22, with a layup at the 2:45 mark. Smith (a 3-pointer) and Armstrong (a corner jumper) scored the final baskets for UNH while the senior Ethan O'Day hit two free throws to wrap up a four-point half.

The second half was mostly Vermont, as they held a lead through the majority of the final stanza. UNH took the lead on a Smith finish in the paint, 33-32, with 17:02 to play. The Catamounts' Trae Bell-Haynes hit two 3-pointers split by a Jordan jumper to reclaim a 38-35 lead and never trailed again.

-POSTGAME NOTES-
UNH STARTERS (SEASON/CAREER STARTS)
Jr. G Jaleen Smith (24/68)
So. F Iba Camara (25/33)
So. F Tanner Leissner (24/51)
Sr. G Ronnel Jordan (24/26)
Jr. G Joe Bramanti (22/41)

GROUPS RECORD: 9-3

SERIES INFO

The Catamounts have now won three straight against UNH.
New Hampshire last won at Patrick Gymnasium on Jan. 8, 2000.

ATTENDANCE: 2242

TEAM NOTES

Vermont recorded 26 free-throw attempts to UNH's 13.
The Wildcats recorded five blocks and four steals.
Camara grabbed 10 rebounds for the 12^th time this season with 10+ boards.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Jaleen Smith: 16 points / 3 rebounds / 2 steals / 1 assist / 4-4 FTs
Jacoby Armstrong: 15 points / 8 rebounds / 1 block / 6-10 FGs
Ronnel Jordan: 15 points / 3 rebounds / 1 block
Tanner Leissner: 13 points / 7 rebounds / 7-7 FTs / 2 blocks / 1 assist

Trae Bell-Haynes: 18 points / 2 rebounds / 2 assists / 5-10 FGs
Kurt Steidl: 13 points / 6 rebounds / 1 steal / 4-9 FGs
Cam Ward: 11 points / 3 rebounds / 5 assists

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