Knights Outlast SUNY Canton

Late game heroics by Junior Point Guard Alex Tyrrell (Sydney, Australia), Kevin Carr (Senior, Westminster, MD) and Cody Chamberlin (Sophomore, Northfield, VT) lifted Vermont Tech (13-9) to a 66-62 victory over SUNY/Canton (11-7) on Sunday, January 29th. 

Neither team could manage to gain much of an edge throughout the contest. The Knights held a slim three point margin at halftime and continued to hold a small lead throughout the second half until the six minute mark when SUNY/Canton tied the score 51-51. The Roos then went on a 5-0 run to make the score 56-51 with 4:40 remaining to play. After a time out, the Knights went to work. Tyrell and Carr sandwiched three point field goals between an Irving Cato basket to make the score 58-57. SUNY's Tyler Ellison hit a basket with 3:07 on the clock to make the score 60-57. Tyrrell responded with a clutch three point shot with 2:07 left to tie the score at 60.

In the next possession, the Roos worked hard for a good shot, but Chamberlin came up with a steal with 1:30 to play. Now it was the Knights turn to probe the Roos defense for a weakness. Tyrrell was able to break free on the wing for an open 3 pointer that hit "nothing but net."  Vermont Tech led 63-60 with 1:16 left to play. The Knights matched up in a man to man set for the next possession.  Leading scorer Irving Cato took the shot but it rolled off the rim into the hands of Chamberlin. Chamberlin found teammate Carr for the outlet pass and the ball remained in Carr's hand until he was fouled with 23 seconds on the clock. Carr sank both free throws to give the Knights a 65-60 edge.  SUNY came back to hit another basket with 14 seconds on the clock to narrow the lead to 65-62. The Knights were able to get the ball into Tyrrell's hands for the next possession. Tyrrell added a free throw in the waning seconds to put the game out of reach, 66-62.

Tyrrell led the Knight scorers with 23 points. Carr added 14 and Freshman Lucas Dutil (Barre, VT)had 11. Tyler Ellison led the way for the Roos with 13 points.

"This was a hard fought contest," said Coach Dyer after the game. "We expected a tough game and those expectations were realized.  SUNY/Canton came into this game with five players averaging in double figures. I think our guys did a great job defensively.  It really helped that we didn't throw the ball away.  Alex and Kevin hit some huge shots down the stretch and our inside guys came up big. When we needed a clutch rebound, we got it.  I thought the difference in the game was turnovers and foul shots.  This was a gritty win."

Next up for the Knights is a weekend double-header YSCC foes Southern Maine (Sat 2/4) and Central Maine (Sun 2/5).