BURLINGTON, Vt. (Interstat) — Gus Yalden scored a game-high 29 points on efficient shooting to power the Vermont Catamounts to an 83-69 victory over the Siena Saints in a nonconference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at a packed Roy L. Patrick Gymnasium.

The 6-foot-9, 258-pound sophomore from Appleton, Wisconsin, dominated from the opening tip, setting an early tone that Siena could never fully counter. Yalden’s performance, coming off the bench, was the catalyst for a Vermont offense that operated with precision, scoring 83 points on just 68 possessions for a stellar offensive rating of 121.2.

Vermont seized control with a commanding first-half display, building a 41-27 lead by halftime. The Catamounts shot 52.6% from the field in the opening period, fueled by Yalden’s 18 points. Siena, meanwhile, struggled to find an offensive rhythm, connecting on only 10 of its 33 first-half attempts.

The Saints showed more life after the break, scoring 42 second-half points, but could never mount a sustained threat to seriously cut into the deficit. Every time Siena managed a mini-run, Vermont answered, often through Yalden or a timely contribution from its supporting cast. The Catamounts matched Siena’s second-half output point for point to maintain their comfortable margin throughout.

Yalden finished the night making 10 of his 15 field goal attempts, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc, and added six free throws. He also contributed a block and a steal in 23 minutes of action. His interior presence and scoring versatility proved too much for the Saints’ defense to handle.

Siena was led by Gavin Doty’s 18 points and Brendan Coyle’s 15. Justice Shoats facilitated the offense with a game-high five assists to go with his 12 points. The Saints, however, were hampered by poor shooting overall, finishing at 38.8% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. A glaring lack of ball movement was evident in the final stat sheet, as Siena recorded only two total assists as a team, compared to six for Vermont.

The Catamounts complemented Yalden with balanced scoring. Sean Blake added 14 points and three assists, TJ Hurley scored 13, and Noah Barnett anchored the defense with three blocks and nine points. Vermont’s defense was active, registering six steals and five blocks, and it capitalized on its opportunities at the free-throw line, making 16 of 20 attempts.

The game’s most pivotal sequence occurred early, effectively establishing the night’s narrative. After Siena’s Tasman Goodrick scored on a tip-in to tie the game at 4-4, Vermont embarked on a decisive 14-2 run over the next four minutes. Yalden was at the heart of the surge, scoring seven points during the stretch, including a three-pointer assisted by TJ Long. The run gave Vermont a 18-6 lead, and Siena never got closer than nine points the rest of the way. The early deficit forced the Saints into a chasing posture against a Vermont team that protected the ball well and executed efficiently on its home floor.

With the win, Vermont improves its season record to 8-5. The Catamounts will look to build momentum when they host Iona on Saturday. Siena, which had its three-game winning streak snapped, falls to 9-3. The Saints face a quick turnaround and a major test, traveling to face Indiana on Monday.