FINAL SCORE (OT): Vermont 82, NJIT 80
NEWARK, N.J. – Vermont (17-10, 11-2 AE) extended its winning-streak to nine games with a thrilling comeback victory, defeating NJIT (17-9, 4-9 AE) 82-80 in overtime on Saturday night at the NJIT Wellness & Events Center. The Catamounts clinched a share of their seventh-straight America East Regular Season Title with the victory.
 
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Box Score
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"A gutsy win tonight in overtime where we looked out of it, dead in the water there late in the game, and made enough plays," Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker said. "Finn made a huge three, and then in overtime AD has the and-one, then Robin has the big tip. But we really struggled to guard them, they shot the ball great. Late in the clock they scored a lot in this game, which is a credit to them. We found a way on the road to secure at least a share of the regular season title for seven-straight years. That is a huge accomplishment for our program and for this team, and we're happy to take this one back to Burlington."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• NJIT was hot to start the game, with baskets on their first three possessions for a quick 7-0 lead. Vermont briefly closed the gap with an 8-2 run, fueled by points from Finn Sullivan and Dylan Penn.
• The Highlanders countered with makes on their next three possessions to take an 18-11 lead with 13:27 left in the half.
• Ileri Ayo-Faleye began an 8-2 run for the Catamounts with a wide-open triple to cut the deficit to 18-14. Aaron Deloney added a trey on the next possession, and Robin Duncan converted a layup to trail 20-19 with 10:16 remaining.
• NJIT's lead grew back up to six points when Kevin Osawe's jumper put the Highlanders up 33-27 with 4:31 left in the half. Vermont countered with six straight points to tie the game at 36-36 with 2:54 to go.
• Penn gave the Catamounts their first lead of the evening with a left-handed hook from inside the paint to go up 38-36 with 1:11 remaining. Justin Anderson responded with a triple for the Highlanders on the following possession and Finn Sullivan knocked down a free throw to enter the break tied up at 39-39.
• NJIT opened the second half on a 12-2 run to take a 10-point lead with 14:34 left on the clock. Osawe's scoring continued, recording four of the Highlanders' early points.
• Vermont chipped away at the lead and eventually pulled to within a possession on a try by Finn Sullivan that made the score 59-56 with 7:06 left in regulation. Osawe, Adam Hess, and Kjell de Graaf countered for the Highlanders to retake a seven-point lead with 5:00 to go.
• Finn Sullivan brought the Catamounts back to within a possession and eventually tied the game at 69-69 with 2:13 remaining in the second half. The fifth-year senior converted on a driving layup for the equalizer. Raheim Sullivan responded with a three-pointer to put NJIT back in front inside the two-minute mark.
• UVM and NJIT exchanged free throws down the stretch, with Hess sinking two with 0:14 to play, giving the Highlanders a 74-71 lead.
• Finn Sullivan extended the game when he drilled a triple with three seconds to go to force overtime. TJ Hurley made a terrific pass to find the San Diego, Calif. native.
• Vermont took the lead in overtime with Duncan sinking a free throw, and Penn converting on a layup to go up 77-74 with 3:31 remaining. The Highlanders countered with free throws from Osawe, and a jumper by Raheim Sullivan to go up 78-78 with 1:28 to go.
• Deloney gave Vermont a lead with 0:58 left in overtime, drawing a foul on a made layup and sinking the and-one for an 80-78 lead. Osawe answered with a contested jumper for his 29th point of the game to tie it with 38 seconds left.
• Duncan netted the game-winning basket with 0:07 left on the clock. The fifth-year senior crashed the offensive glass and tipped in the rebound for the 82-80 lead.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Vermont led for only 3:29 of the 45 minutes played. The Catamounts sank 46.8% (29-62) of their field goals and 38.7% (12-31) of their three-pointers.
• Duncan recorded his second career double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Evanvsille, Ind. native made 6-of-9 field goal attempts, and picked up five of his 12 boards on the offensive end.
• Sullivan led the Catamounts in scoring with 21 points on 6-for-13 shooting. The UVM guard knocked down 4-of-10 attempts from long range.
• Penn had 19 points, sinking 8-of-15 attempts from the floor, including one attempt from beyond the arc. Penn was also 2-for-2 from the free throw line.
• With the win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to King Street Center as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. Since its inauguration in 2017, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group has donated over $80,000 to local non-profits through the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative.  

UP NEXT
The Catamounts return home to host Binghamton on Wednesday (Feb. 22) at Patrick Gym. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. ET. Tickets are available for purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday. The matchup between the Catamounts and Bearcats will broadcast live on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan and Bernie Cieplicki on the call. International fans can view the game on AmericaEast.TV. Fans can listen to the game for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield on The Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 960 AM around the rest of the region. The radio broadcast is also available via the Varsity Network App with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
 
RALLY AGAINST CANCER PRESENTED BY MASCOMA BANK
Vermont returns home to host Binghamton on Wednesday (Feb. 22) in the Rally Against Cancer Game, presented by Mascoma Bank. Please consider making a gift to support the important work of the UVM Cancer Center. Your support is critical to providing top-notch clinical care, and advancing cancer research right here in our community. Mascoma Bank bolsters its support and commitment by pledging to match up to $10,000 for the Rally Against Cancer game through the month of February. Donate Here. If fans would like to learn more about how Mascoma Bank is partnering with UVM Athletics and the UVM Cancer Center, you can read a full press release about the partnership here. The Catamounts will be wearing special-edition lavender jerseys against the Bearcats.

McGee Automotive Group is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball