KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Interstat) — Gus Yalden scored 27 points and the Vermont Catamounts withstood a furious second-half rally from the Princeton Tigers to secure a 79-74 victory in a non-conference men’s basketball game Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Vermont built a commanding 17-point halftime lead only to see Princeton erase nearly all of it in a frantic final 20 minutes. The Catamounts, however, made critical plays in the final minute to snap a two-game losing streak and improve to 5-3 on the season. Princeton dropped its third straight game, falling to 3-6.

The game was a tale of two contrasting halves. Vermont dominated the first period, shooting efficiently from the floor and locking down defensively to take a 43-26 lead into the break. The second half saw a complete reversal, as Princeton’s offense ignited, outscoring Vermont 48-36, but the Tigers’ comeback bid ultimately fell short.

Yalden, a 6-foot-9 forward from Appleton, Wisconsin, was the catalyst for Vermont, delivering his 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting in just 21 minutes of action. His interior scoring was a constant problem for the Princeton defense. He was complemented by TJ Long, who added 17 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Princeton’s comeback was spearheaded by CJ Happy, who poured in 22 points and dished out three assists. Malik Abdullahi provided a versatile performance with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Jackson Hicke contributed 20 points and four rebounds.

The game began with Vermont setting the tone early. TJ Long hit a 3-pointer on the game’s first possession, and the Catamounts never trailed. They methodically built their lead throughout the first half, with Yalden scoring from various spots on the floor. Vermont’s defense was equally impressive, holding Princeton to just 26 points on 29% shooting in the opening period.

The second half was a different story. Princeton emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, quickly chipping away at the deficit. A 17-4 run to open the half, fueled by hot 3-point shooting from Happy and Hicke, brought the Tigers roaring back into the game and turned it into a back-and-forth affair.

The Tigers finally drew even at 65-65 with just over seven minutes remaining, completing a remarkable 39-point swing from their first-half deficit. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, with the lead changing hands multiple times.

With the game tied at 74 and under a minute to play, Yalden delivered the decisive blow. The big man stepped out and drained a crucial 3-pointer with 39 seconds left, putting Vermont ahead for good. After a defensive stop, Yalden sealed the victory with a driving layup, scoring the final five points for the Catamounts.

While Princeton’s offense found its rhythm after halftime, its struggles at the free-throw line proved costly. The Tigers shot just 4 of 12 from the charity stripe. Vermont, meanwhile, was more efficient in its opportunities, making 9 of 13.

The game was a statistical oddity, as both teams finished with 65 possessions. Vermont’s offensive efficiency was the difference, as they posted a rating of 121.2 points per 100 possessions compared to Princeton’s 114.4. The Catamounts also dominated inside, outscoring Princeton 36-26 in the paint and holding a significant 8-5 advantage in offensive rebounds.

Sean Blake was a key facilitator for Vermont, tallying four assists to go with six points and seven rebounds. For Princeton, Landon Clark pulled down five rebounds and had three assists.

Vermont will look to build on the win when it hosts Yale on Sunday. Princeton will try to end its skid on the road against Saint Joseph’s, also on Sunday. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in New Jersey on Dec. 30.