Auburn, ME – A missed three here, a missed layup there, and 18 turnovers later, the Vermont Tech Knights leave Kirk Hall with a 76-72 win Sunday over the home Mustangs. Playing their third game in three days, the Mustangs had little left in the tank to combat a strong Knight squad.
The first half was a back and forth affair with both teams sharing the lead. A 14-4 run late in the half-propelled VTC to take a 39-31 advantage into halftime. Regrouping, the Mustangs came out of the gates in the second half responding by taking a four-point lead 48-44. However, missed three's and costly turnovers doomed the home team. Shooting a miserable 4-44 from the three-point stripe for the game was turning point for CM.
Saikwon Williams played his best game of the year netting 18 points and hauled down 15 rebounds. Mark McDonald hit for 26 for the Mustangs. Jeremiah Shaw and Drake Perry who each had 19 points led VTC.
Coach Gonyea states," We didn't adjust accordingly playing more people in a three game stretch. Looking back is 20/20 but I really dropped the ball not getting more fresh bodies in the game. VTC played its second game back to back on the road as well, so I don't want to take anything away from them. We simply could not hit an important shot when needed. We will learn as a team and move forward."
CM falls to 3-1 on the year and travels to UMA Tuesday to face the Moose.