Vermont star guard Mike Trimboli had 20 points and junior star forward Marqus Blakely added 19 points and 12 rebounds in a 79-70 victory over the University at Albany in men's basketball, before a rowdy sellout crowd of 4,538 at SEFCU Arena on Saturday night.

“It was a little scary coming in off a heartbreaking — actually, devastating — loss, to play in front of a sold-out crowd,” UVM coach Mike Lonergan said. “Our players showed a lot of character.”

“I thought it was important for us to prove we can beat Albany,” Lonergan said. “At least we know if we do have to play them (in the tournament) in front of a hostile crowd, we will be confident.”