In a shocking turn of events, New Jersey Institute of Technology pulled off a stunning 79-77 upset over Vermont at Patrick Gymnasium, leaving the Catamounts reeling. This monumental win for NJIT, who were predicted to lose by 10.6 points according to CHD Scout, will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the college basketball world. The pre-game prediction was wildly inaccurate, as the Highlanders outplayed and outlasted their hosts in a nail-biting contest.
Sean Blake did everything in his power to prevent the upset, scoring 23 points and grabbing 8 rebounds for Vermont. However, his efforts were ultimately matched by NJIT's Sebastian Robinson, who poured in 22 points and added 5 rebounds to lead the Highlanders to victory. The visitors got off to a scorching start, taking a 32-21 lead into halftime, but Vermont refused to back down. The Catamounts mounted a furious comeback in the second half, outscoring NJIT 56-47, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
David Bolden and Ari Fulton provided crucial support for Robinson, with Bolden contributing 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Fulton chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds. For Vermont, TJ Hurley and Gus Yalden offered some scoring punch, with 16 and 12 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide. As the final buzzer sounded, the NJIT bench erupted in joy, celebrating a win that will be remembered for a long time.
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This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Vermont, the loss is a Quad 4 defeat, which will likely hurt their NCAA Tournament resume. The Catamounts, who fell to 14-9 on the season, must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason. On the other hand, NJIT's win is a Quad 3 victory, which will help bolster their own tournament hopes. The Highlanders, now 11-12 on the year, have given themselves a much-needed boost, and their net ranking of 326 will likely receive a significant bump.
The upset win for NJIT is a reflection of the team's resilience and determination. Despite being heavy underdogs, the Highlanders played with confidence and poise, never backing down from the challenge. As the season enters its final stretch, this victory will be a crucial building block for NJIT, who want to carry this momentum forward into their remaining games. For Vermont, the loss serves as a wake-up call, reminding them that they cannot take any opponent for granted. The Catamounts must learn from this setback and use it as motivation to drive their postseason push.