BOSTON ‘ Top-seeded Vermont advanced to the America East Championship game with a 71-63 victory over no. 5 UMBC on Sunday afternoon at Boston University’s Agganis Arena.

Vermont senior center Chris Holm finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks.

The Retrievers kept it close at the end, pulling as close as three, 58-55, with two free throws by junior Brian Hodges with 4:38 remaining. But the Retrievers could not recover from a long jumper by Kyle Cieplicki with the shot clock winding down.

UVM sophomore Mike Trimboli and UMBC junior Mike Housman led all scorers with 20 points apiece.

Vermont shot 48% from the floor.