FINAL SCORE: Vermont 83, NJIT 57
NEWARK, N.J. – Nick Fiorillo posted a career-high 18 points as Vermont (12-4, 4-0 AE) continued its lights-out shooting en route to an 83-57 victory over NJIT (8-8, 3-3 AE) on Wednesday night at NJIT Wellness & Events Center. The Catamounts begin league play with four straight wins for the fifth time in their last six seasons.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
"It was another great road win," Cioffi Men's Basketball Head Coach John Becker said. "The guys continue to shoot the ball well. We were better defensively in the second half. The first time playing in the Wellness & Events Center at NJIT was very nice. I hope we get the Tarrant Center built soon so our players and fans can enjoy a first-class facility like this."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Catamounts took a 9-0 lead in the first 3:07, powered by a quick seven points from Ben Shungu. UVM hit eight of its first nine shots to maintain its lead, which briefly shrunk to five points when Mekhi Gray's free throws cut the deficit to 23-17 with 10:24 left in the half.
• Vermont closed out the opening half on a 25-12 run in the final 9:47 of the frame. Fiorillo popped off for nine points, converting on a three-point play and sinking two triples. The Catamounts were 5-for-7 from long range in the closing run, led by Finn Sullivan who had a trio of threes. UVM would take a 48-29 lead into the locker room.
• Vermont's sharpshooting continued in the second half, hitting eight of its first 10 shots to explode to a 72-38 lead with 11:16 remaining. Six Catamounts got in on the 24-9 run to distance themselves further from the Highlanders. UVM was 4-for-5 from long range in the early run.
• Bailey Patella threw down a dunk with 7:41 left on the night to put the Cats up 77-40, giving Vermont its largest lead of the night. NJIT would then hit 5-of-13 field goals down the stretch, cutting the deficit to as close as 14 points with 2:31 remaining.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Vermont hit 52.5% (31-of-59) of its field goals and 48.0% (12-of-25) from long range. UVM has shot at least 50.0% from the field and 40.0% from beyond the arc in all four games against America East opponents.
• Fiorillo's career-high 18 points came on 6-of-12 shooting, including a career-high four makes from long range. The forward also pulled in seven rebounds and dished out two assists.
• Sullivan matched Fiorillo's team-high 18 points, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. The senior has hit 69.6% (16-of-23) of his three-point attempts over the last three games.
• Shungu and Davis also registered double figures with 13 points apiece. Shungu was an efficient 6-for-7 from the floor and drilled his lone attempt from long range. Davis hit 6-of-10 field goal attempts and sank one triple.  
• With today's win, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group will donate $100 to COTS, the Committee on Temporary Shelter, as part of the Cats Win, Community Wins initiative. A special thank you to Vermont Mutual Insurance for their support. Vermont Mutual Insurance, protecting Vermonters since 1828.

UP NEXT
Vermont returns home on Saturday (Jan. 22) when it hosts Hartford in an America East Semifinal rematch at Patrick Gym. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. Tickets are available purchase at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or by visiting the Patrick Gym Box Office on gameday. Saturday's game will broadcast live on ESPN 3 with former voice of the Catamounts Jake Marsh on the call. Fans can listen for free on the Vermont Sports Network, from Learfield IMG College on The Game, which will air on 97.1 FM in Burlington, 105.9 FM in Plattsburgh, and 960 AM around the rest of the region. The radio broadcast is also available online at Catamounts All-Access with Brian McLaughlin on the call.
 
Key Motors of South Burlington is the presenting sponsor of Vermont men's basketball