The Vermongt Catamounts jumped out to an early 8-0 lead and used a 26-2 run later in the first half to run away from the Binghamton Bearcats and earn an 84-51 victory in an America East semifinal game at Patrick Gymnasium in Burlington on Tuesday night.  Vermont led 52-22 at the end of the first half.

The Catamounts played a near perfect game and were led by solid scorer Stef Smith who scored 28 points including 23 in the first half.  He went eight for ten from three-point range and made ten of his fourteen shots.  The Catamounts shot a b;istering 68 percent from the field and converted ten of fifteen three-point shots for 67 percent.

The Bearcats had just one player reach double figure.  Caleb Stewart scored 16 points for Binghamton.  Five seniors played their last game in a Binghamton uniform.  Stewart, J.C. Show, Chancellor Barnard, Timmy Rose and  Everson Davis all finished their careers on the court.  Coach Tommy Dempsey had them all on the court during the final minutes of the game as a tribute to the hard work they have put in during their Bearcat careers.

The Bearcats end their season with an overall record of 10-23.  Vermont moves to 26-6 and will host UMBC Saturday at 11:00 AM on ESPNU.  The Retrievers advanced with a double-overtime 90-85 win over Hartford in the other semifinal game.

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