FINAL SCORE (2OT): NJIT 81, Vermont 80
BURLINGTON, Vt. – NJIT's San Antonio Brinson banked in the game-winning layup as time expired in double overtime to give Vermont an 81-80 setback on Monday afternoon. The Catamounts slip to 2-2 overall and in conference play after the weekend split.   
 
RELATED LINKS
Box Score: Web | PDF
CatamounTV: Game Highlights | Postgame Press Conference
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"It was a tough game today," Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker said. "It's difficult to play back-to-back days but NJIT played better than us today and made the play at the end of the game. We just have to continue to get better and we'll get back to practice this week in preparation for UAlbany."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• UVM and NJIT went back-and-forth for most of the first half. The Cats managed to gain a 16-10 advantage at the 11-minute mark after Tomas Murphy and Isaiah Powell drained three-pointers, then Bailey Patella and Ryan Davis made layups in traffic.
• The Green and Gold held a lead for the ensuing five minutes but relinquished it at 6:08 after NJIT pulled ahead 27-25 when Zach Cooks hit a tough runner in the paint.
• The Catamounts countered with 10 unanswered points and closed the half on a 12-4 run for a 37-31 advantage at the recess.
• To start the second half, Vermont extended its lead to double digits 48-38 but the Highlanders wiped it away with a 10-0 surge and tied the game at the 12:14 mark after Cooks buried another triple in front of his own bench.
• As the game came down to the wire in regulation, NJIT went up 62-60 with three minutes to go after Dylan O'Hearn made a step-back jumper. Justin Mazzulla tied the game on UVM's next possession with a layup, then Stef Smith sank two free throws to give the Cats a 64-62 edge with 1:24 left on the clock. Souleymane Diakite forced another tie with a hook shot in the paint at the 1:01 mark.
• On the final possession of regulation, Cooks tried to win the game with a three-pointer from the left wing but missed and Powell tipped the rebound away to force the extra session.  
• In the first overtime period, UVM grabbed a 68-64 lead a minute-and-a-half in with layups from Ben Shungu and Davis. O'Hearn responded with two triples to put NJIT back up 70-68 with 2:29 remaining in the extra period. Diakite made another jumper with 47 seconds to go but Ben Shungu sank two free throws on Vermont's next trip down the floor to even the score once more, 72-72. On the last possession of overtime, NJIT's Antwuan Butler drove into the paint but his runner was short off the front iron.  
• The conference foes traded scores for the majority of the second overtime period. With the Highlanders clinging to a 79-78 lead in the final seconds, Davis buried both attempts from the charity stripe to put UVM up 80-79. On the last possession of the game, Diego Willis air-balled a desperation three from the right wing but Brinson caught the rebound and threw it off the window at the buzzer.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Davis had a career-high 27 points and made 11-of-14 field goal attempts. He collected four rebounds, handed out two assists, and recorded a steal.
• Shungu logged double figures with 16 points, came down with six boards, and matched a career high with six assists.
• Smith was the third Catamount with double digits. The senior scored 11 points and tallied three assists.  
• This season People's United Bank, N.A. will again be generously donating $25 to Sara Holbrook Community Center for every three-point shot that the Catamounts make during the regular season home games. With today's five 3s, the total being donated is now up to $425.

WHO'S NEXT
Vermont will welcome the 2021 calendar year with a visit from UAlbany this weekend. The rivals will square off on Saturday (Jan. 2) at 6 p.m. and Sunday (Jan. 3) at 4 p.m. The conference matchup will be streamed on either ESPN3 or ESPN+. Visit UVMathletics.com later in the week for updates.  
 
Key Motors of South Burlington is the presenting sponsor of the 2020-21 Vermont men's basketball season