The University of Vermont defeated the New Jersey Institute of Technology 70-64 on Friday, a six-point margin that belies the competitiveness of the contest. The two teams were deadlocked at 30-30 at the half, suggesting a closely contested affair. Vermont ultimately outscored NJIT 40-34 in the second half to secure the win. Given the narrow margin, it is clear that this game was decided by a possession or two.
The disparity in NET rankings between the two teams - Vermont sits at 224, while NJIT is ranked 309 - did not necessarily manifest in a dominant performance by Vermont. Instead, the Catamounts' ability to outscore the Highlanders by six points over the course of the game proved to be the difference. The second-half scoring differential of six points in favor of Vermont ultimately decided the outcome, as the teams' first-half scores were evenly matched.
The Vermont Catamounts' top performers played a significant role in their 70-64 win over NJIT. Gus Yalden led the team in scoring with 21 points, shooting 10-15 from the field, although he struggled from beyond the arc, going 0-2 on three-point attempts. Yalden also contributed on the defensive end, recording one block and grabbing three rebounds. Sean Blake was another key contributor, posting 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while also dishing out four assists and blocking two shots.
TJ Hurley rounded out the top performers for Vermont, scoring 13 points on 5-11 shooting from the field, including 2-6 from three-point range. Hurley also pulled down four rebounds and recorded one assist. The trio's collective effort helped propel the Catamounts to victory, with Yalden's efficient scoring and Blake's all-around performance being particularly noteworthy. Their stat lines suggest a balanced attack, with each player bringing a unique set of skills to the table to help secure the win.
Sebastian Robinson's performance, despite not quite reaching his team's needs, showcased his potential as a scoring threat. His 16 points on 5-of-14 shooting from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line demonstrate his ability to adapt to various scoring situations. However, his supporting stats, such as just one rebound and three assists, suggest he could have contributed more in other areas of the game.
David Bolden's outing was marked by inconsistency, as his 15 points were largely fueled by his 3-of-8 three-point shooting. His 4-of-15 overall shooting from the field and 4-of-4 free throw mark indicate that he was somewhat limited by his inability to convert on his two-point attempts. Meanwhile, Melvyn Ebonkoli's 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from the free throw line suggest he played a more straightforward, effective role for the team.
The remaining Vermont and NJIT players largely adhered to their season averages.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a 9.6-point Vermont victory ultimately proved correct, with the Catamounts emerging victorious by a margin of six points. While the final margin was narrower than anticipated, the outcome was in line with the expected outcome.
The decisive factors in Vermont's 6-point win were its superior shooting efficiency and rebounding prowess. The Catamounts' effective field goal percentage of 55.8% was a significant 10.5 percentage points higher than NJIT's mark, indicating a substantial advantage in the paint and from the perimeter. Furthermore, Vermont's 21.4% rebounding rate allowed it to outrebound NJIT by a considerable margin, providing a crucial source of second-chance opportunities and limiting the Highlanders' ability to secure possessions. These two factors, in tandem, allowed Vermont to maintain a comfortable lead and secure the victory.
The result of Vermont's win has little impact on their NCAA Tournament resume, as this was a Quad 4 game, but it does bring them to a respectable 18-11 record with a NET of #224. With no Quad 1 or 2 wins, they will likely be considered for a 15-seed at-large bid, but their NET ranking and strength of schedule are crucial factors in their at-large prospects. Meanwhile, NJIT's loss drops them to 15-14 with a NET of #309, and their Quad 1 loss count now stands at 0-3, which will significantly hinder their at-large chances, likely relegating them to the bubble's periphery.