Vermont Catamounts vs Buffalo Bulls
Bearden sparks Buffalo past Vermont 77-71 in tourney finale
UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Lamonte Bearden scored 20 points as Buffalo capped its four-game run in the Hall of Fame Tipoff Classic by beating Vermont 77-71 Sunday night and sweeping its two games at the Mohegan Sun Arena to finish the tournament 2-2.
The Bulls lost at Old Dominion and at Saint Joseph's in the first two rounds before knocking off North Carolina A&T Saturday once the tourney shifted to a neutral site.
Buffalo trailed by one at the break, 30-29, but Bearden opened the second half by burying a 3-pointer to take a 32-30 advantage and both teams traded the lead.
Darren Payen dunked with 5:09 left to pull the Catamounts even at 57-57 but Buffalo made 11 of 12 free throws in the final three minutes to seal it.
Willie Conner and Blake Hamilton each contributed 14 points for Buffalo (3-2).
Trae Bell-Haynes led Vermont (2-3) with 15 points and Ernie Duncan added 14.
Game Information
Uncasville, CT
Referee:Justin Simon
Referee:Kevin Ferguson
Referee:Andy O'Brien
2025-26 Standings
| Mid-American ConferenceMid-American Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 18-0 | - | 32-2 |
| Akron | 17-1 | 1 | 29-6 |
| Kent State | 14-4 | 4 | 24-10 |
| Toledo | 11-7 | 7 | 19-15 |
| Bowling Green | 9-9 | 9 | 18-14 |
| Ohio | 9-9 | 9 | 15-17 |
| Buffalo | 7-11 | 11 | 17-15 |
| Massachusetts | 7-11 | 11 | 17-16 |
| Ball State | 7-11 | 11 | 12-19 |
| Central Michigan | 6-12 | 12 | 10-21 |
| Western Michigan | 4-14 | 14 | 10-21 |
| Eastern Michigan | 4-14 | 14 | 10-21 |
| Northern Illinois | 4-14 | 14 | 9-21 |
| America East ConferenceAmerica East Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMBC | 14-2 | - | 24-9 |
| Vermont | 12-4 | 2 | 22-12 |
| NJIT | 10-6 | 4 | 16-17 |
| UMass Lowell | 9-7 | 5 | 15-18 |
| UAlbany | 7-9 | 7 | 11-21 |
| Maine | 6-10 | 8 | 8-24 |
| New Hampshire | 5-11 | 9 | 9-21 |
| Bryant | 5-11 | 9 | 9-22 |
| Binghamton | 4-12 | 10 | 8-23 |
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