Erwin and Rogers lead Moose to win over VTC

RANDOLPH CENTER, Vermont - The University of Maine at Augusta men's basketball team turned in a gutsy performance Sunday to secure a 79-70 Yankee Small College Conference victory over defending conference champs Vermont Technical College. The Moose were led by junior Tevon Erwin (Albany, NY) who scored a season and team high 25 points and netted 11 rebounds. Fellow junior Brandon Rogers (Turlock, Cali.) continued his stellar season with 19 points and a game-high 12 boards.

The Moose jumped out to an early 11-2 lead, highlighted by five points from Rogers. The Knights climbed back to within three with 3:48 remaining in the first half, but Erwin went on a tear, scoring the last ten points of the half for UMA, lifting the Moose to a 37-29 advantage heading into the half.

Vermont Tech was able to pull to within one in the second half, trailing 71-70 with only 42 seconds to go in the contest. UMA's Robert Foss (Augusta, Maine) made the front end of a double-bonus to put the Moose up by two, and Erwin came up with the offensive rebound on the miss and was fouled on the put-back. He drained the two ensuing free throws to give the Moose a 74-70 advantage with 28 seconds remaining.

The Moose outshot the Knights from the floor, shooting 46% compared to 39% for Vermont Tech. The Moose also held the advantage from the bench, outscoring the Moose 15-6. Junior Jesse Smith (Troy, NY) was the other Moose player in double-digits, with 15 points on the afternoon.

Game notes: Brandon Rogers continues to lead the YSCC in rebounding, despite missing the last two games in December due to injury. Rogers is averaging 11.9 boards per game. The 6'7 junior is currently ranked second in the nation, trailing only Suthod Young from SUNY-ESF, who is currently averaging 12.7 rebounds per game. The Moose travel to Southern Maine Community College on Wednesday, and will host Unity College at 7:30 on Thursday night at the Augusta Civic Center.