Clancy Rugg (from Burlington, Vermont) holds up the America East Conference regular season title trophy in celebration at the end of the game against Stony Brook at Patrick Gym on Thursday night February 27, 2014 in Burlington, Vermont.
It was an emotional night at Patrick Gym as the Vermont Catamounts hosted the Stony Brook Seawolves in a battle for first place
in the America East Conference. Not only were the Catamounts trying to secure the #1 seed for the
upcoming tournament in the last home game of the season, they were also
honoring their six seniors before the game. With a playoff atmosphere
in Patrick Gym, the first sell out of the year and many in the crowd wearing gold shirts it was sure to be a memorable game...
The Catamounts have pretty much destroyed the competition in the America East this year, beating their opponents usually by double digits. Vermont's record was 12-1 going into the game with their only loss coming at the hands of Stony Brook when Vermont played them in New York.
The teams line up to listen to the National Anthem played on the saxophone by Burlington's Dave Grippo
Vermont seniors Clancy Rugg, Luke Apfeld, Sandro Carissimo, Brian Voelkel, Josh Elbaum and Candon Rusin wait to be honored before the start of the game.
Vermont senior Luke Apfeld waves to the crowd as he is honored before the start of the game.
Vermont senior Sandro Carissimo waves to the crowd as he is honored before the start of the game.
Vermont senior Josh Elbaum poses for a photo with his family, Catamounts head coach John Becker and athletic director Dr. Robert Corran during the ceremony for the six seniors before the start of the game.
University of Vermont athletic director Dr. Robert Corran and head coach John Becker help in honoring the six seniors on the basketball team during a ceremony before the start of the game.
Vermont senior Candon Rusin shakes hands with athletic director Dr. Robert Corran during the ceremony honoring the seniors before the start of the game.
Vermont seniors Clancy Rugg, Luke Apfeld, Sandro Carissimo, Brian Voelkel, Josh Elbaum and Candon Rusin stand with their family and plaques during the ceremony before the start of the game.
Vermont seniors Clancy Rugg, Luke Apfeld, Sandro Carissimo, Brian Voelkel, Josh Elbaum and Candon Rusin pose for a photo.
Stony Brook and Vermont warm up as the crowd starts to fill in before the game.
University of Vermont dance team waits for the Catamounts to take the court before the start of the game.
Vermont senior Sandro Carissimo leads the team onto the court through the dance team before the start of the game.
The University of Vermont prep band cheering for the team.
University of Vermont cheerleaders pumping up the crowd.
This guy is at every University of Vermont athletic event waving that flag... dedication!
This photo actually has a special story behind it. On senior day, the senior players usually get the start as part of honoring them, however, since the Catamounts had six seniors, it was impossible to give all of them the start. Brian Voelkel (right) had started for the last 130 games but decided to sit so that his friend Josh Elbaum (who had never had a start before) could start the game... that's what a team is all about! You can read more about the story here.
University of Vermont cheerleaders pumping up the crowd.
On to the game...
Stony Brook wins the tip off.
Stony Brook won the tip off and proceeded to score a three point basket. The Catamounts would take over from there and never look back taking a 20-5 lead early in the first half.
Vermont senior Clancy Rugg takes a three pointer.
Vermont senior Sandro Carissimo leaps for a lay up.
Vermont senior Candon Rusin drives to the hoop.
Vermont Senior Sandro Carissimo takes a jump shot.
Vermont's Hector Harold drives to the hoop between two Stony Brook players.
Vermont senior Brian Voelkel looks to pass the ball.
Vermont head coach John Becker shouting plays to his team.
Vermont senior Josh Elbaum leaps for a lay up.
At the start of the game, Vermont senior Luke Apfeld was 2 point shy of 1000 career points. It was only a matter of time before he would surpass that achievement. It didn't take too long. Early in the first half Apfeld took a three pointer in front of the Stony Brook bench and drained it for his 1001st point.
Vermont Senior Luke Apfeld shoots a three pointer and
makes it for his 1001st career point.
Vermont Senior Luke Apfeld celebrates as he drains a three pointer for his 1001st career point.
Patrick Gym was already a buzz with excitement with the Catamounts ahead. When Luke drained the three for his 1001st point the place went wild... Stony Brook never stood a chance after that.
Brian Voelkel fighting for position for the rebound during a free throw attempt.
Brian Voelkel pulls down a rebound. Voelkel is the all time leading rebounder for the University of Vermont.
Brian Voelkel even gets in on the scoring action.
The Vermont bench cheers on the team after a three pointer.
Vermont senior Candon Rusin drives to the hoop.
Vermont senior Sandro Carissimo leaps for a lay up.
Vermont senior Clancy Rugg leaps for a lay up.
The University of Vermont student section raises their hands on a free throw attempt.
The University of Vermont pep band.
Vermont senior Sandro Carissimo blocks a shot.
Vermont senior Brian Voelkel looks to pass the ball.
Vermont's Hector Harold and Clancy Rugg cheer on the team from the bench.
Vermont Catamounts head coach John Becker directs his players on the court.
Vermont Senior Sandro Carissimo takes a three point shot
Brian Voelkel fights for a rebound.
The University of Vermont dance team cheers.
Vermont head coach John Becker and assistant coach Kyle Cieplicki talk to the team on the court.
Vermont head coach John Becker and the referee have a disagreement.
A Vermont Catamounts fan yells at the Stony Brook players.
Vermont senior Luke Apfeld takes a jump shot.
Vermont Catamounts' Ethan O'Day takes a jump shot.
Vermont Catamounts head coach John Becker talks to the team during a time out.
Vermont's Ethan O'Day takes a jump shot.
Vermont senior Sandro Carissimo drives to the hoop.
Vermont senior Sandro Carissimo takes a free throw attempt all by himself after an intentional foul was called.
Vermont senior Luke Apfeld leaps for a lay up.
Vermont Catamounts men's basketball head coach John Becker has an argument with a referee.
University of Vermont Catamounts cheerleaders pump up the crowd during a break in the action.
Vermont senior Luke Apfeld takes a charge.
Vermont senior Clancy Rugg comes out of the game.
The Vermont Catamounts and the Stony Brook Seawolves watch as Sandro Carissimo takes a free throw attempt after and intentional foul was called.
Vermont senior Brian Voelkel takes a three pointer.
Vermont Catamounts seniors Sandro Carissimo, Candon Rusin and Brian Voelkel wave to the crowd after being taken out of the game for the last time late in the second half.
Vermont senior Sandro Carissimo high fives head coach John Becker after he is taken out of the game for the last time late in the second half.
Vermont senior Luke Apfeld celebrates after being taken out
of the game for the last time late in the second half.
Riding on emotion and energy from senior day, the crowd and talent, the Vermont Catamounts controlled the game from the start and beat Stony Brook by a score 69-53 to earn the America East Conference regular season title and the #1 seed for the upcoming tournament in Albany, New York. If Vermont wins both of their games in the tournament they will host the America East Championship at home on Saturday March 15th. Go Cats Go!!
The Catamounts smile after shaking hands with Stony Brook after the game.
Vermont head coach John Becker holds up the regular season title trophy for the crowd.
America East Conference representative Matt Bourque hands the regular season title trophy to Vermont head coach John Becker.
Vermont head coach John Becker points to the crowd before honoring senior Luke Apfeld on his 1000th point after the game.
Vermont senior Luke Apfeld acknowledges the crowd as he is honored for scoring his 1000th point at the conclusion of the game.
Vermont senior Luke Apfeld waves to the crowd as he is honored for scoring his 1000th point at the conclusion of the game.
The Vermont Catamounts pose for a photo with the regular season title trophy at the conclusion of the game.
Congratulations to the University of Vermont Catamounts men's basketball team on a great 2013-14 season!
You can view the entire set of photos from the game
here.
