FINAL SCORE: NJIT 70, Vermont 60
NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT Highlanders hit seven three-pointers and Kimi Evans had a career-high 20 points as they defeated Vermont for the first time Sunday evening in America East action from the NJIT Wellness and Events Center. With the win NJIT improved to 2-1 in league play while the Catamounts fell to 1-2.
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score (.pdf)

COACH'S QUOTE
"I have a feeling we are going to find ourselves in a lot of tight games this season," said Mayer Women's Basketball Head Coach Alisa Kresge. "We need our defense to be a constant no matter what. It was a tie game with under five minutes and we didn't get the stops we needed."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Maddy Smith led the Catamounts in the early going scoring five points in 35 seconds during a tight first quarter. She scored a game-high seven in the quarter but the Highlanders held a 14-13 edge after ten minutes.
• NJIT's Kimi Burns hit two triples early in the second quarter as the Highlanders stretched their lead to five at 22-17. Vermont responded with an 6-0 run fueled by four points from Sarah Wells to retake the lead.
• The Highlanders took a 32-28 advantage into the half after a late 8-0 run keyed by two three-pointers from Kendle Dalrymple.
• NJIT started the second half on a 5-0 run growing their advantage to nine. First-Year forward Anna Olson took over at that point. She scored nine straight for the Catamounts and Delaney Richason added a layup to make it an 11-0 run over 5:12 to take the lead back. The teams entered the fourth quarter knotted up at 44.
• The Highlanders hit back-to-back threes to open the final frame but sophomore forward Delaney Richason added five more points to make it a two-point game. Then Maddy Smith hit a jumper with 4:52 remaining to tie the game at 55.  
• At that point Evans took control, she scored the games next eight points to establish a lead the Highlanders held for their first-ever America East home win. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Reigning America East Rookie of the Week Anna Olson set a new career-high with 17 points. Maddy Smith also set a career-high with 12 points.
• The Highlanders outscored the Vermont bench 22-6.   

WHO'S NEXT
The Catamounts will to return to action tomorrow at 2 p.m. as they conclude their season-series with NJIT. All the action from Newark will be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans can also listen to the contest on WVMT AM 620/96.3 FM with Maura Sheridan on the call.
 
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