Men's Basketball Wraps Up 2024 at the University of Vermont

BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Elms College Men's Basketball wrapped up the 2024 calendar on the road at the University of Vermont in a midseason exhibition matchup Monday evening at Patrick Gymnasium.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 37 | University of Vermont 121
Records: Blazers 0-11, 0-0 (GNAC) | Catamounts 7-8, 0-0 (America East)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The friendly contest would begin with Vermont making the first basket for three-points, but would capitalize on early mistakes by Elms to score an additional five points. Shortly after, junior forward RJ Mayfield (Springfield, Mass.) would make a jump shot for the Blazers' first basket of the night. The two sides would compete for possession of the ball, until the Catamounts would make a steal that would lead into a breakaway layup, but sophomore guard Andrew Ciaglo (Hadley, Mass.) would connect with graduate student forward Neilon Bridgeman (Brooklyn, N.Y.) for a layup. After a completed free throw attempt by Vermont, the two sides would once again contest for possession, until Mayfield would make a second jump shot to bring the Blazers within five points of tying the game, but the Catamounts would capitalize by scoring on a slam dunk and a three-pointer. On their next possession, Elms would score after senior guard/forward Aaron Sanchez (the Bronx, N.Y.) drove to the net for a layup. Moments later, junior guard Aden Goffe (New Haven, Conn.) would commit a steal and would breakaway from the Vermont offense for a layup, but the Catamounts would score on their next possession with a layup of their own. As the two friendly opponents continued to trade possession, Sanchez would sink a jump shot to bring the game back to six points, but Vermont would add another layup. The Blazers would continue their efforts to fight their way to obtain the lead, after a steal by junior center/guard/forward Edgardo Jacob Cancel (Northampton, Mass.), a free throw attempt by Sanchez, and a quick jump shot by Goffe, following him rebounding Sanchez's second failed attempt, to bring the score to 20-15. As the opening half continued, the Catamounts would continue to add to their lead, but Elms would continue to create quick moments, including a three-point shot by Ciaglo, layups from Cancel and Sanchez, both assisted by sophomore guard Jaden Lopez (Lebanon, Conn.), a steal by sophomore forward/center Lawton Ackah-Yensu (Cape Coast, Ghana), and a jumper, a pair of successful free throw attempts, and a steal by Mayfield, but Vermont would go into the halftime break with a 59-26 lead.

The second half would begin with the Catamounts with the early advantage after a three-point shot, but the Blazers would respond quickly after Ciaglo would connect with Mayfield for a layup. Vermont would then go back on the offensive, adding seven points to their lead. Even with the deficit, the Elms defense held strong after Ciaglo would press on his opposition, jump straight up to complete the interception for a steal and would quickly draw a foul. As the Catamounts went on to add 18-points to their lead, Goffe would make a long jump shot for the Blazers, the Vermont offense would continue to control the momentum of the contest in their favor. The Elms offense would continue to be pressured by the Catamounts, but a steal by Goffe, a pair of blocks by senior forward/center Addison Phifer (Hadley, Mass.), a layup by Cancel, and a second three-point shot from Ciaglo would help the Blazers attempts to cut the score differential. Unfortunately for Elms, the Vermont Catamounts would defeat the Blazers 121-37.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Mayfield - 10 points, a rebound, and a steal.

• Sanchez - seven points, five rebounds, and an assist.

• Ciaglo - six points, two assists, a rebound, and a steal.

• Goffe - six points, five rebounds, and two steals.

• Cancel - six points, three rebounds, and a steal.

• Bridgeman - two points.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Men's Basketball team will start the New Year at home hosting Johnson & Wales University in their conference opener at 3 pm at Picknelly Arena.

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