Vermont basketball’s TJ Long and TJ Hurley discuss America East semifinal win
Vermont basketball’s TJ Long and TJ Hurley help Catamounts reach the America East title game with their semifinal win on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Editor’s note: For post-game story, visit HERE.
Second-seed Vermont basketball chases another NCAA Tournament berth when it meets host and No. 1 UMBC in the America East Conference championship game on Saturday, March 14.
The Catamounts (22-11) are in search of the program’s fourth trip to March Madness in five seasons, and seventh overall in coach John Becker’s 15-year tenure. Vermont have played in 10 NCAA Tournaments dating back to its first appearance in 2003.
Saturday’s game is also Vermont’s first road America East playoff game in 10 years. Top-seeded UMBC is 23-8 on the season, have won 11 straight games and split the season series with Vermont this winter.
For live updates and how to watch the America East title game between Vermont and UMBC, see below. The most recent in-game updates will be displayed at the top:
UMBC pulls away from Vermont with 23-8 run over last 6 minutes. It’s UMBC’s first NCAA Tournament bid since 2018.
Check back later for an updated story.
50.6 seconds left in second half: UMBC 70, Vermont 59
UMBC on verge of title.
1:29 left in second half: UMBC 64, Vermont 56
DJ Armstrong with another long 3. 28 points for the UMBC guard.
2:24 left in second half: UMBC 61, Vermont 54
DJ Armstrong drops 3-pointer with the foul. He gets the FT, he has 25 points, and UMBC closing in on title.
3:22 left in second half: UMBC 57, Vermont 54
TJ Hurley halts UMBC 9-0 run with a long triple to beat the shot clock. UVM ball after timeout.
5:22 left in second half: UMBC 54, Vermont 51
Ace Valentine gets three-point play and UMBC answers with 6-0 spurt to regain the lead.
6:00 left in second half: Vermont 51, UMBC 51
DJ Armstrong levels the game on a transition 3.
6:45 left in second half: Vermont 51, UMBC 48
Noah Barnett left all alone in the paint on a pick-and-roll and throws down two-handed stuff.
8:02 left in second half: Vermont 47, UMBC 46
Lucas Mari with a putback to return lead to Cats. The freshman igniting this Catamount comeback.
10:04 left in second half: UMBC 44, Vermont 43
A quick, 6-0 spurt from Vermont. Lucas Mari splashes long 3 in front of the Vermont bench, then plays great interior defense that leads to a TJ Long 3-pointer. Vermont now 4 of 20 on 3-pointers.
11:13 left in second half: UMBC 44, Vermont 37
Just that kind of day for Catamounts: TJ Hurley beats his man off the dribble and kicks into the corner for TJ Long, who is wide open for a 3. But the shot goes in and out. Cats are 2 of 18 from distance. Media timeout.
12:11 left in second half: UMBC 44, Vermont 37
Cougar Downing buries long 3 on the wing for UMBC. Sean Blake back-to-back turnovers.
14:07 left in second half: UMBC 41, Vermont 35
Noah Barnett tagged with third foul.
14:58 left in second half: UMBC 41, Vermont 35
Vermont wins coach’s challenge on out-of-bounds play that was initially called UMBC ball. Vermont retains its challenge and timeout.
15:50 left in second half: UMBC 39, Vermont 32
UMBC is on a 9-4 spurt to start the second half. Vermont’s Gus Yalden at the line for two after tough offensive board. Media timeout.
16:57 left in second half: UMBC 37, Vermont 30
Ace Valentine with a pair of foul shots and UMBC opens its biggest lead.
Halftime: UMBC 30, Vermont 28
DJ Armstrong (13 points) gets tough shot to fall in the paint in the final seconds of the half. TJ Hurley’s halfcourt heave hits back rim. Gus Yalden leads Vermont with 10 points.
3:04 left in first half: UMBC 25, Vermont 23
DJ Armstrong’s three-point play gives UMBC the lead.
3:57 left in first half: Vermont 23, UMBC 22
Cats continue to struggle from 3 (1 of 11). But they are 10 of 23 overall from the floor.
5:20 left in first half: Vermont 23, UMBC 20
Gus Yalden finds TJ Hurley on cut to the hoop and then gets two paint finishes.
7:59 left in first half: Vermont 17, UMBC 15
Cats just 1 of 7 on 3-point attempts, but 6 of 9 on two-pointers. UMBC is 4 of 15 from the field but with three of them from beyond the arc.
9:23 left in first half: Vermont 17, UMBC 15
Sean Blake with a double-team split and floater in the lane. TJ Long buries triple. Cougar Downing responds with 3 for UMBC.
12:12 left in first half: UMBC 10, Vermont 10
Good news for Catamount fans: Noah Barnett returns to the floor and quickly draws a foul on baseline drive. He makes 1 of 2 FT attempts.
14:16 left in first half: Vermont 8, UMBC 7
Lucas Mari fouled on way to hoop. He’ll have pair of free throws when play resumes following the first media timeout. UMBC just made its first field goal (1 of 6), Jose Roberto Tanchyn with a wing triple.
16:46 left in first half: Vermont 6, UMBC 2
In early minutes, Cats perimeter defense on point, forcing several late-in-the-shot clock attempts. On other end, Gus Yalden with a pair of layups, the former on a nice transition feed from Sean Blake.
19:32 left in first half: Vermont 0, UMBC 0
On the first possession of the game, Vermont’s Noah Barnett called for foul but is hurt on the play. He needs help to walk off the floor.
What channel is Vermont vs UMBC on Saturday, March 14 in America East final?
- TV channel: (ESPN2)
- Stream: ESPN
Vermont will tip off vs. UMBC on ESPN2. Streaming options include the ESPN app.
Vermont vs UMBC start time in America East championship game
- Date: Saturday, March 14
- Time: 11 a.m.
Vermont and UMBC will play at 11 a.m. at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Catonsville, Maryland.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
