Blakely’s 16 points, 18 rebounds help Vermont defeat Hartford 74-56 for 6th straight win

Vermont defeats Hartford 74-56, wins 6th straight

HARTFORD, Conn. — Marqus Blakely scored 16 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to help Vermont defeat Hartford 74-56 on Wednesday night, for its sixth straight win.

Maurice Joseph added 22 points for the Catamounts (20-8, 11-3 America East Conference).

Vermont outscored the Hawks 13-0 on second-chance points in the first half, building a 39-22 lead at halftime.

The Catamounts shot 54.5 percent from the field in the second half (12 of 22), going 4-for-8 from 3-point range.

The Hawks (7-19, 5-8) pulled within 60-50 on Joe Zeglinski’s jumper with 5:59 left. But Vermont pulled away with a 10-2 run and led 70-52 on Nick Vier’s layup with 3:25 to go.

Garvey Young added 13 points for Vermont and Evan Fjeld had 10.

Morgan Sabia had 17 points, Zeglinski scored 12 and Milton Burton added 11 for the Hawks, who lost their third straight.