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 |
Men's College Basketball News

Get to know NBA draft prospect Darryn Peterson
4h

Kendrick Perkins agrees to role as Jackson State GM
8h

Green Bay's Gottlieb gets extension after improved 2nd season
10h

