In a stunning turn of events, Maine traveled to the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center and handed New Jersey Institute of Technology a 74-70 defeat, pulling off a significant upset. The Black Bears, with a record of 5-17 and a net ranking of 340, were not expected to leave with a win against the 9-12 Highlanders, who boast a net ranking of 332. However, Maine's determination and strong performance led to a thrilling victory that will surely send shockwaves through the college basketball world.
The game got off to a promising start for Maine, as they took a 37-29 lead into halftime. TJ Biel was instrumental in the Black Bears' strong first half, scoring 11 of his 21 points before the break. NJIT's Sebastian Robinson tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 12 of his 24 points in the first half, but the Highlanders struggled to contain Maine's balanced attack.
In the second half, NJIT made a push to get back into the game, outscoring Maine 41-37. Robinson continued to impress, adding 12 more points to his total, while Jordan Rogers chipped in with 6 rebounds and 9 points. However, Maine's Yanis Bamba and Logan Carey made crucial contributions, with Bamba scoring 14 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, and Carey adding 11 points and 5 assists. The Black Bears' ability to maintain their lead and close out the game was a reflection of their resilience and determination.
The win is a monumental upset for Maine, and it will undoubtedly be a significant boost to their confidence. With this result, the Black Bears have proven that they can compete with teams that, on paper, seem out of their league. As for NJIT, this loss will be a tough pill to swallow, especially considering it was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams. The Highlanders must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for a strong finish to the season.
Given the Quadrant 4 designation for both teams, this game was not expected to have a major impact on either team's tournament chances. However, the win will still be a valuable addition to Maine's resume, as it demonstrates their ability to compete and win against teams with similar profiles. For NJIT, the loss will be a missed opportunity to pad their resume with a win against a team with a similar net ranking. As the season progresses, both teams must be mindful of their performance in Quadrant 4 games, as these results can have a significant impact on their tournament prospects. The implications of this upset will be felt for the remainder of the season, and it will be interesting to see how both teams respond to this result.