FINAL SCORE: Vermont 92, NJIT 78
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Stef Smith and Ryan Davis each produced a 20-point effort as Vermont topped NJIT 92-78 in the home opener on Sunday afternoon. Smith had a game-high 27 points while Davis added 22 points. The Catamounts improve to 2-1 in the conference standings and overall on the year.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score: Web | PDF
CatamounTV: Game Highlights | Postgame Press Conference
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"We got off to a great start offensively and it was great to see," said Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker. "After last weekend, it was a little bit of a relief. I thought after the first 10 minutes it turned into a really good game and we expect tomorrow to be a much tighter game."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts controlled the game from the opening tip with 15 unanswered points in the opening four minutes. The Green and Gold made six of their first seven attempts from the floor, including two long balls from Smith.
• UVM pushed the run to 33-8 with 10:31 left in the period. The Cats continued their hot streak from outside as Nick Fiorillo canned two triples, plus another one from Smith, and Robin Duncan joined list of long-distance threats.
• For the rest of the half, Vermont was outscored by NJIT 26-19 but went into the locker room with a 52-33 lead.  
• The Highlanders did not go away quietly and cut the deficit to 65-50 with 11 minutes left in the contest.
• For the rest of the game, UVM kept NJIT at bay with a near 20-point advantage.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Smith finished the game with 27 points, one point shy of his career high, and paced the team with seven rebounds. Sunday was Smith's first 20-point outing of the season and 14th of his career. He shot 7-of-13 from the floor and 5-of-9 from long distance.
• Davis matched a career high with 22 points. The junior shot 10-of-15 from the field and made two triples.
• Isaiah Powell was the third starter in double figures with 10 points and six boards.
• UVM assisted 21 of its 33 field goals – the most assists in a single game against a Division I opponent since handing out 21 assists versus Purdue in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
• Vermont improves to 5-0 all-time against NJIT and have won its last seven home openers.
• When the Cats Win, Community Wins. With each Catamount win, Vermont Mutual Insurance donates $100 to a local non-profit. For 2020 they will be donating $15,000 to Spectrum Youth and Family Services. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828. 

WHO'S NEXT
Vermont an NJIT will wrap up the two-game series on Monday (Dec. 28) at 2 p.m. All of the action will be streamed on ESPN+ and the ESPN app with a paid subscription. Fans can also listen live on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College, on 101.3 The Game or online at Catamounts All-Access with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
 
Key Motors of South Burlington is the presenting sponsor of the 2020-21 Vermont men's basketball season