Ward sparks late run, Vermont beats Binghamton 78-64

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) Cam Ward scored 16 including the first eight points of a 21-4 run late in the second half that propelled Vermont past Binghamton 78-64 on Wednesday night.

Ward capped the run for the Catamounts (16-12, 8-5 America East Conference) at 78-60 on a pair of free throws with 1:42 left.

Vermont led for most of the second half after closing the first half with a 15-4 run to lead 37-32. Binghamton (6-20, 3-10) battled in front at 47-46 but never led again.

Ernie Duncan and Nate Rohrer added 14 points each for Vermont and Kurt Steidl had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Willie Rodriguez had 22 points and Marlon Beck II scored 10 for Binghamton. Beck's 3-pointer brought the Bearcats within 57-56 at the midpoint of the second half. Ward scored the next eight points. Thomas Bruce's jumper at 5:49 was Binghamton's only field goal for a nine-minute stretch.