The Vermont men's basketball team faced a tough defeat against Liberty, losing 79-73 in the ESPN Events Invitational in Florida. TJ Long led the Catamounts with 19 points, while Lucas Mari achieved his first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Despite closing the gap late in the second half, Vermont could not overcome Liberty's strong start and solid defense. Coach John Becker praised his team's effort, emphasizing the need for improved defense moving forward.

By the Numbers
  • TJ Long scored 19 points and had 5 rebounds.
  • Vermont outrebounded Liberty 33 to 26.
State of Play
  • Vermont trailed by as much as 16 points in the first half.
  • The Catamounts had 10 second-chance points compared to Liberty's 4.
What's Next

Vermont will continue in the ESPN Events Invitational, facing Rhode Island on November 25 at 2:30 p.m. ET, which will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

Bottom Line

To succeed in their upcoming games, Vermont must improve their defensive consistency while maintaining offensive momentum. A focus on executing better stops will be crucial for future victories.