FINAL SCORE: Vermont 65, Appalachian State 63
ESTERO, Fla. – Ben Shungu drilled a game-winning jumper at the buzzer as Vermont (5-2) defeated App State (3-4) 65-63 on the final day of the Gulf Coast Showcase. The Catamounts' guard hit the clinching basket in his 100th career game.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score: Web | PDF
Shungu's Shot | Shungu Showtime | Locker Room Celebration 
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"It was a great college basketball game today against a really good App State team," said Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker. "I have a lot of respect for their coach and their program. It was a battle – they made a huge three down the stretch. Benny wanted the ball – we all wanted him to have it – and he made a great shot there. It's a great way to go into Thanksgiving Break!"
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Appalachian State came out firing with 10 straight points in the first 2:20 to grab an early lead. Vermont briefly cut the deficit to four with 13:16 remaining before App State expanded its lead. Michael Almonacy drilled a three pointer with 8:20 left in the first half to put the Mountaineers up 24-12. The 12-point lead was App State's largest of the game.
• Vermont began to chip away at the lead as the clock counted down in the half. A 14-5 run over a five-minute span pulled UVM to within a basket with 3:15 remaining. Justin Mazzulla closed out the half with four points in the final 2:50 to give Vermont its first lead of the afternoon. The Catamounts held the Mountaineers scoreless over the last 4:33 of the first half.
• App State quickly took the lead back in the first 1:07 of the second half with a pair of baskets from Adrian Delph. Nick Fiorillo drilled a corner three for the Catamounts to tie the game at 35-35 with 17:21 remaining. The Mountaineers began to build back their lead and stretched the lead to 52-45 with 9:18 left in the second half.
• A 14-6 run in a 6:58 span gave the Catamounts a 59-58 lead with 2:20 remaining, but App State's Justin Forrest cashed in a layup to put the Mountaineers back up by one. Ryan Davis nailed a jumper and Shungu sank two free throws to give Vermont a 63-60 lead with 0:26 remaining.
• With the shot clock off, Adrian Delph hit a deep three with 0:16 left to knot the game at 63-63. Shungu dribbled his way up the court and matched up against Delph. The UVM guard motioned to his right before crossing over and firing a step-back jumper for the game-winner.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Shungu's buzzer beater is Vermont's first winning-basket in the final seconds of a game since Ryan Davis converted on a last-second layup against Hartford (Feb. 8, 2020).
• Shungu led the Catamounts with 17 points on the afternoon. The graduate student hit 6-of-9 attempts from the field and cashed in on three free throw attempts.
• Davis registered 14 points for Vermont with five field goals. The UVM forward hit all three free throw and added a corner trey. Davis led the Catamounts with seven rebounds on the night.
• Vermont dominated the paint, once again, outscoring App State 30-14 between the blocks. The UVM bench outscored App State's bench 22-11.
• With today's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to Vermont Foodbank as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Vermont Mutual has committed to donating $15,000 to Vermont Foodbank for the 2021 season. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

UP NEXT
Vermont makes one stop on its way home, when it visits UNCG on Saturday (Nov. 27) in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPN+. Fans can listen for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College on The Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 960 AM around the rest of the region. The radio broadcast is also available online at Catamounts All-Access with Brian McLaughlin on the call.  
 
Key Motors of South Burlington is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball