FINAL SCORE: Vermont 71, NJIT 61
BURLINGTON, Vt. –  The Vermont men's basketball team won in Newark, NJ against NJIT on Thursday evening. Shamir Bogues led the Catamounts in scoring with 22 points.

RELATED LINKS
Box Score
Shamir player of the game interview
 
COACH'S QUOTE
"Really hard fought win vs a very gritty NJIT team. The game was very physical and I didn't think we handled well in the back part of the first half. We made some adjustments at half and did a much better job in the second half. Shamir played a great game and took over on offense with Hurley struggling tonight. Jace played great off the bench with a nice floor game. Really proud of the way the guys are playing heading to Baltimore. We owe them one."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Vermont started the game off on a 7-3 run in the first two minutes of the game thanks to a Sam Alamutu three and layup.  
• After both teams exchanged baskets, Ileri Ayo-Faleye knocked down a three from a Shamir Bogues pass at the 14:58 mark. Cats led 16-11.
• At the 8-minute media timeout, Vermont led NJIT 26-17 thanks to an Ileri Ayo-Faleye catch and shoot three
• NJIT slowly climbed their way back as Vermont was held scoreless for the final six minutes of the first half. NJIT led UVM 30-29 going into the half.
• NJIT got out to a 39-32 lead at the 16:42 mark in the second half.
• UVM would storm back on a 13-3 run to take a 45-42 lead with 12 minutes remaining. During that stretch, Shamir Bogues had a steal that led to a fastbreak layup
• At the 10:09 mark, TJ Hurley would hit a three from the top of the key to give the Catamounts a 50-46 lead.
• With seven minutes remaining, TJ Hurley would throw a bounce pass to Sam Alamutu who would throw it down for a slam dunk. Vermont led 57-50.
• A minute later, Nick Fiorillo would knock down a left-wing three to extend UVM's lead 60-52.
• At the 4-minute media timeout, Catamounts led 64-57.
• NJIT crawled their way back to only a 65-61 deficit until Nick Fiorillo converted an and-one paint finish.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Shamir Bogues had a season-high 22 points while shooting (8-13) from the field and (6-7) from the free throw line. This was Bogues' 1^st game this season with 20+ points.
• Three different Catamounts were in double-digit scoring against NJIT. Shamir Bogues (22), Ileri Ayo-Faleye (14), and Nick Fiorillo (12) led the way for Vermont.
• Ileri Ayo-Faleye recorded a team-high six blocks and a had a team-high nine rebounds.
• Four different Catamounts had 3+ assists. Jace Roquemore (3), Shamir Bogues (3), Nick Fiorillo (3), and Ileri Ayo-Faleye (3)
• Vermont outshot NJIT (46%) to (33.3%).

 
The Catamounts won tonight which means that Vermont Mutual Insurance will be donating $100 to the Lund Center. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.
 
UP NEXT
UVM will next face off against UMBC on Saturday, March 1^st. That game will tip off at 1 p.m. ET and it will be on ESPN+. The radio broadcast is also available via the Varsity Network App with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
 
McGee Automotive Family is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball