Conference final roundup: Vermont wins America East

Dylan Penn scored 21 points for Vermont against UMass Lowell to win the America East Conference Tournament final in Burlington.

The Catamounts (23-10), the top-seeded team, extended their winning streak by 15 games. They are now headed back to NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season and fifth time under John Becker.

Penn hit 8 of 12 field goals. Matt Veretto scored 15, Finn Sullivan added 14 points with seven rebounds, and Aaron Deloney added 10 points.

The second-seeded River Hawks (26-28) shot 37.7 percent from their field and lost their six-game winning streak. Allin Blunt had 14 points, and Yuri Covington scored 10 from the bench.

Vermont scored the first five goals of the second period to erase a 29-25 deficit at halftime. With 12:39 remaining, Deloney’s 3-pointer put the Catamounts in control at 38-37.

Howard 65, Norfolk State 64

Jelani Williams finished a 20-point performance with two free throws in the second period. This helped Howard win against Norfolk State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference final in Norfolk, Va.

Marcus Dockery, third-seeded Spartans (22-11) led 64-60 before Marcus Dockery made his only 3-pointer of game with 13.2 seconds left in the second period. Norfolk State’s attempt to inbounds pass was blocked by Williams, who helped the top-seeded Bison (20-12) win their first MEAC tournament championship title since 1992. Williams also secured its first NCAA Tournament berth and third overall.

Howard, which defeated Norfolk State on three occasions this year, has won five consecutive games and has won 14 of its last sixteen games.

Dana Tate Jr. had 19 points and seven boards, while Joe Bryant Jr. contributed 18 points and five steals to the Spartans.

–Field Level Media