ALBANY, N.Y. -- Sandro Carissimo scored 17 points as Vermont topped Albany 55-45 on Saturday.

Both teams came out red hot, combining to hit five of the game's first seven shots in the first 4:30. But the rest of the half saw only six more baskets combined, as Vermont (14-9, 8-1 America East) built a 21-12 lead at the break. Albany hit just 5 of 26 shots in the half, including 0 of 6 from beyond the arc.

Vermont opened the second half on an 8-4 run to build a 13-point lead and never looked back.

Brian Voelkel had eight assists and became Vermont's all-time assists leader. He also gathered 10 rebounds. Candon Rusin added 16 points for the Catamounts.

Albany (11-11, 5-4) was led by Peter Hooley with 11 points and Gary Johnson with 10. The loss breaks the Great Danes' 5-game home winning streak.