Vermont Edges UMass-Lowell 66-64 in Nail-Biter

Catamounts' Barnett scores game-winning tip-in with 10 seconds left

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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In a close America East Conference matchup, the Vermont Catamounts defeated the UMass-Lowell River Hawks 66-64 on Thursday. Gus Yalden recorded a 21-point double-double for Vermont, while Noah Barnett scored the game-winning tip-in with just 10.4 seconds remaining to lift the Catamounts to victory.

Why it matters

This win keeps Vermont in contention for the America East Conference title, as they improve to 19-11 overall and 11-4 in conference play. For UMass-Lowell, the loss drops them to 13-16 on the season and 8-6 in the America East.

The details

In a back-and-forth affair, Vermont's TJ Hurley drove to the rim in the final seconds but missed the layup. However, Barnett was there to tip in the rebound and give the Catamounts the late lead. Yalden's double-double performance and Hurley's 19 points were key for Vermont, while Austin Green's 16 points and 14 rebounds led the way for UMass-Lowell.

  • The game was played on Thursday, February 27, 2026.
  • Barnett's game-winning tip-in came with just 10.4 seconds left on the clock.

The players

Gus Yalden

A key player for the Vermont Catamounts, Yalden recorded a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double in the victory.

Noah Barnett

Barnett scored the game-winning tip-in for Vermont with just 10.4 seconds remaining to lift the Catamounts to the 66-64 win.

Austin Green

The leading scorer for UMass-Lowell, Green finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough battle against a good UMass-Lowell team, but our guys showed a lot of heart and determination to pull out the win.”

— John Becker, Vermont Head Coach (Vermont Athletics)

What’s next

Vermont will look to build on this victory as they continue their push for the America East Conference title, while UMass-Lowell will aim to rebound in their next game.

The takeaway

This close conference matchup showcased the competitive nature of the America East, as Vermont and UMass-Lowell battled down to the wire. The Catamounts' ability to make the winning play at the end highlights their resilience and determination to remain in contention for the conference crown.