Knights Finish 12-0 in YSCC with Win Over NHTI
Vermont Tech followed up its dramatic overtime win against Fisher on Wednesday night with a solid 90-84 victory against traditional rival NHTI on Thursday night in Concord, NH.
“I was really worried about coming in here tonight,” said Coach Dyer after the game. “I knew our guys would be fatigued after travelling to Boston the previous night and playing Fisher—especially with game going to OT. Back to back road games against teams of this caliber are hard to win. I think our team demonstrated its character tonight. They were tired, several guys were under the weather—yet they did what they had to do to come out on top. I just love this team.”
NHTI was ranked 6th in the USCAA National Coaches Poll prior to the game. Vermont Tech has held the #2 ranking for the past four weeks. A win for NHTI would have secured the second seed in the YSCC Final Four. The loss now means that NHTI falls to third in the YSCC and will have to defeat Nashua in a play-in game in order to make it to the YSCC Final Four in Portland. Vermont Tech has a first round bye in the play-offs and will meet the winner of Central Maine and Eastern Maine in the semi-final round.
Five players scored in double figures for Vermont Tech. The dynamic duo of Nick Simpson and Kevin Carr hit for 28 points and 19 points respectively. Trent Roleau scored 15 points (9 rebounds), Josh Lindsey 12 points (7 rebounds) and Kwei General 11 points.
“Everyone contributed tonight. I think Alex Tyrrell deserves some special mention. I didn’t think Al would be able to play tonight. He’s been fighting the flu all week. Down the stretch, Alex controlled the tempo. He dished out 7 assists and hit two important free throws. Nick Simpson and Kevin Carr get most of the attention—and they truly deserve it—but this team would not have accomplished what it has this year without Alex’s leadership on and off the court. He’s a very special guy.”
The win brings the Knights’ season record to 23-4. The team is a perfect 12-0 in the tough Yankee Small College Conference. “Going undefeated in the Yankee is an outstanding accomplishment, said Coach Dyer. “Usually, the top 5-6 YSCC teams beat each other up during the season. The league is very well balanced. This is a very special team.”
