BOSTON ‘ Top-seeded Vermont was the first team to advance to Sunday’s semifinal round of the America East men’s basketball conference tournament, defeating no. 8 Hartford, 81-62.

The Catamounts had a 47-23 rebounding edge. In the first half, senior center Chris Holm had 11 rebounds to Hartford’s 10.

A large crowd of about 1,500 Vermont faithful made the trip to Boston University’s Agganis Arena. The Catamounts and their faithful now await the winner of the second quarterfinal game of the day’s first session which features no. 5 UMBC and no. 4 Maine.

UVM’s Mike Trimboli and Hartford’s Bo Taylor were named America East Players of the Game. Trimboli, the America East Player of the Year, had 21 points, while Taylor led all scorers with 23 points, adding six steals.

Keep checking back at www.bupipedream.com for live updates throughout the day from Boston.