Ivy League Basketball Roundup: 12/18/2014
Below is the Ivy League Basketball Roundup for Thursday, December 18, 2014. Yale was the only team to play from the Ivy League as they went on the road to face Vermont.
Yale Wins On Late Bucket From Matt Townsend
A back and forth affair between Yale and Vermont provided a thrilling finish with Matt Townsend hitting a jumper with 5 seconds remaining to give the Bulldogs the 57-56 victory.
Yale fell behind 7-2 early on, but a quick rally made it 8-7. Vermont was able to lead 19-13 at the under 8 TV timeout, but Yale had a strong finish to the half. The Bulldogs went on a 15-5 run in the final 7:52 to end the half. Yale led 28-24 at the break.
The second half was another even battle between the two teams. The Catamounts reclaimed the lead with a 9-2 run to start the half, but a three pointer from Greg Kelley tied the game at 33. That three pointer started a 13-5 run for Yale, but Vermont would not go away. Vermont trailed 50-47 with 8 minutes remaining, but both teams went cold from the field. In fact, it would be 4 minutes and 3 seconds between points with Vermont’s free throw at 3:57.
The Bulldogs took a 55-53 lead on Javier Duren’s three pointer, but Kurt Steidl’s three pointer for Vermont made it 56-55 with 1:34 left in the game. After a couple of missed shots, Vermont turned it over. With 5 seconds left, Townsend drained a jumper to take a 57-56 lead. Vermont had one last chance, but Justin Sears stole the ball to preserve the win.
Jack Montague led Yale with 12 points on 4 of 9 shooting while Justin Sears finished with 11 points and 4 rebounds. Matt Townsend, Greg Kelley, and Javier Duren all ended with 8 points apiece while each grabbed at least 4 rebounds. Yale went 20 of 42 from the field (47.6%) and hit 6 of 10 three pointers (60%). They went 11 of 15 from the charity stripe (73.3%), had 11 assists, had 8 steals, blocked 7 shots, and committed 11 turnovers.
Kurt Steidl finished with 18 points to lead Vermont. He went 7 of 12 from the field and grabbed 6 boards. Ethan O’Day finished with 10 points as well. The Catamounts went 21 of 53 from the field (39.6%) and hit 7 of 16 three pointers (43.8%). They went 7 of 12 from the free throw line (58.3%), out-rebounded Yale 31-27, had 13 assists, and committed 13 turnovers.
Yale (9-3) faces Albany (3-6) Saturday night at home. Vermont (5-5) plays Saint Louis (7-4) Sunday on the road.