JOHNSON, VT – The Vermont State Badgers highlighted their commanding win against the Paul Smith's Bobcats with a shared effort across the court on Sunday afternoon. Jumping to a 7-0 lead to start the game, the Badgers set the tone early with quick ball handling and a calm yet unforgiving defense. Senior David Greer was unstoppable in the first half, notching 13 points and 10 rebounds to secure a double-double before the halftime buzzer sounded.
Paul Smith's never threatened in the first half, as Johnson gradually increased their lead to an impressive 51-31 in the opening period. A 23-8 run that began with 12:30 on the clock saw the Badgers put every aspect of their gameplay on display, kicked off by a deep jump shot by Lukas Sward to bring the score to 22-10. Following a pair of made free throws by Mohammed Semega, Raymond Baka and Greer powered their way to back-to-back offensive rebounds, finishing with soft-touch layups that brought the score to 28-16 at 9:36 in the first half. An exciting sequence followed seconds later as Matthew Carter denied the Bobcat's Anthony Henson with a devastating block, rebounded by Greer who found teammate, Dashawn Hall to assist one of his many first half layups, extending their lead to fourteen. The Badgers saw their lead max at twenty four points with a score of 42-18 at 4:22 thanks to an and-1 score by Baka, a pair of twos from Carter, and five definitive points from Hall. The Bobcats would keep things even for the remainder of the half.
The Bobcats returned from the locker room with a vengeance, chipping away at their deficit until they came within ten at 13:48. A three-pointer by Paul Smith's Willie Jennings then reduced the Badgers' lead to seven at 59-52, prompting a reset for the Badgers. Displaying an impressive level of composure, Johnson responded with a quick five points of their own from a Sward jumper and Carter's three pointer, easing the slight rise in tension felt in Carter Gym. The Badgers would continue on a 22-8 run that proved the tides were not turning. The second half of the matchup saw Baka and Carter combine for 27 points, hitting 14 and 13, respectively. Despite a final push from the Bobcats, the Badgers wrapped the game decisively with a final score of 92-82 to put away a game that was never truly in question.
Says Coach Alfred Johnson of the game, "the win is a blueprint moving forward of how we want to play. Sharing the ball offensively, converting at the foul line, and dominating on the offense and defensively glass while being connected defensively."
Notes: Three Badgers surpassed the 20-point mark (Baka: 25, Greer: 21, Carter: 21), two Badgers managed double-doubles (Greer: 21 points and 19 rebounds, Baka: 25 points and 11 rebounds), Semega led the game with 12 assists
The Badgers return to action at home December 7th against the Lyndon Hornets with a 3pm tipoff.