NJIT 63 Vermont 61
NJIT freshman Tariq Francis lit up the Catamounts for a career high 31 points and led the last place Highlanders to a huge win, snapping the Catamounts 23 game conference win streak. Vermont's shooting woes finally caught up with them, particularly at the free throw line where the Cats finished 11-20 (55%). For the second straight game the Cats got off to a very cold start and this time they struggled to get things going in the second half. NJIT played very tough on the defensive end, flying all over the court and contesting every shot. On the defensive side of the ball the Cats had no answer for Francis who made shots from all over the court. This is the type of let down or "trap game" that happens in every conference season. The players and coaching staff always talk about getting every team's best shot and tonight they got the Highlanders best shot for sure. How the Cats respond at UMBC will be a real test for this group after their first conference loss.
TJ Long led the Cats with 18 points and was one of the few bright spots for the Cats. He made tough shots and kept the Cats in the game. Nick Fiorillo continue his strong play off the bench with 13 points and 6 rebounds but struggled at the line. Jace Rocquemore was also a nice spark off the bench finishing with 6 points and 8 rebounds. Ileri Ayo-Faleye finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds but finished 5-9 from the line and didn't have his usual defensive impact. Shamir Bogues had his toughest game in a Catamount uniform, struggling on the defensive end and making very little impact on offense. He has not been able to get the rim over this last stretch of games and hasn't been in double figures since the Lowell game. Matt Veretto and TJ Hurley struggled to knock down their open looks and Aaron Deloney struggled to make an impact before a late three.
This is the type of loss that presents an opportunity for this team to demonstrate their resolve. These losses happen this time of year across college basketball in the grind of the conference season. Will this group galvanize around this adversity like they did after the tough loss to Miami (OH)? Or will the pressure and tension of being the hunted get to this new group of Catamounts? It won't take long to find out with UMBC right around the corner.