BURLINGTON, Vt. – TJ Hurley put on a stellar performance with 18 points, steering Vermont, the No. 2 seed, to a 64-57 win against the No. 7 seed, New Hampshire, during the quarterfinals of the America East Conference Playoffs on Saturday. Vermont, which boasts a 21-11 record, is set to compete in the semifinals on Tuesday against the victor of the Bryant-UMBC matchup.
Hurley showed impressive accuracy by making 8 of his 14 shots, including two successful three-pointers out of six attempts. His teammate, Ileri Ayo-Faleye, made significant contributions with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, reflecting a well-rounded performance. Nick Fiorillo also delivered with a contribution of 10 points, shooting 3 for 6 from three-point range. Vermont’s victory in this game marks their ninth consecutive win.
For New Hampshire, which ended their season with an 8-24 record, Khalil Badru was the top scorer with 18 points and also managed to grab two steals. Sami Pissis supported the team’s efforts with 15 points, while Davide Poser added 11 points and two steals to the scoreboard.
In the first half, Ayo-Faleye managed just four points, leading to Vermont trailing 34-26 at halftime. However, in the second half, Hurley played a significant role with 14 points, helping Vermont overturn the deficit and secure victory.
