NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — In a grinding, physical rematch of a close loss just three weeks prior, the Vermont Catamounts exacted measured revenge on the road Saturday, outlasting the NJIT Highlanders 70-64 in an America East Conference men’s basketball clash at Fleisher Athletic Center.

The game, a stark contrast in styles, was ultimately decided by Vermont’s overwhelming dominance in the paint and a critical second-half response after NJIT threatened to seize momentum. The Catamounts improved to 18-11 overall, while the Highlanders fell to 15-14.

Vermont’s offense flowed almost exclusively through the interior, eschewing the three-point line where they shot a frigid 4 for 20. Instead, they pounded the ball inside to 6-foot-9, 258-pound forward Gus Yalden, who delivered a game-high 21 points on 10-for-16 shooting, nearly all from close range. His physical presence anchored an attack that generated a commanding 44 points in the paint compared to NJIT’s 26.

The first half was a defensive slog, with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm. The period ended in a 30-30 deadlock, a scoreline that reflected the contested nature of every possession. NJIT guard David Bolden, who finished with 15 points, and French forward Melvyn Ebonkoli, who added 14, kept the Highlanders level despite Vermont’s interior edge.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded early in the second half. Vermont emerged from the locker room with clear purpose, unleashing a 10-3 run in the first three minutes. Sean Blake, who contributed 15 points and four assists, ignited the surge with a three-pointer, followed by a TJ Hurley jumper and a Ben Johnson floater. That spurt forced an NJIT timeout and gave Vermont a 40-33 lead, a margin they would not relinquish.

NJIT, demonstrating the resilience they showed in their 79-77 win in Burlington on Jan. 31, chipped away. A three-pointer by Quentin Duncan and a pair of Sebastian Robinson free throws capped a 10-2 Highlander run, cutting Vermont’s lead to 48-47 with just over 12 minutes remaining. Robinson led NJIT with 16 points.

Facing a resurgent crowd and a tied game slipping away, Vermont again turned to its foundational strengths. They recommitted to getting the ball inside, and Yalden answered with a crucial hook shot. The Catamount defense then tightened, and a key steal by Noah Barnett led to a transition opportunity. While the subsequent play ended in a turnover, it signaled a renewed defensive intensity. Vermont slowly rebuilt its lead through free throws and more paint touches, pushing the advantage back to six points as the clock dipped under five minutes.

NJIT had opportunities down the stretch but could not string together enough stops or scores. Trailing 66-61 with under two minutes left, the Highlanders saw Robinson hit a step-back jumper to make it a three-point game. On the ensuing Vermont possession, however, Yalden sealed the outcome. He received an entry pass, absorbed contact, and finished a tough layup while being fouled with 1:10 remaining. Although he missed the ensuing free throw, the basket put Vermont up 68-63 and effectively drained NJIT’s remaining hope.

The statistical sheet underscored Vermont’s winning formula. They shot 51.9% from the floor on two-point attempts and won despite committing more turnovers and tallying only two assists as a team, a testament to their isolation-heavy, post-centric attack. NJIT was more efficient from distance (6 for 16) and the free-throw line (16 for 19), but their 39.6% overall field goal shooting and inability to control the interior proved decisive.

Defensively, Vermont’s four blocks and disciplined positioning limited NJIT’s clean looks near the basket. The Catamounts also played a clean, deliberate game, operating at a pace of exactly one possession per minute for both teams, which favored their methodical style.

The victory gives Vermont a measure of confidence as they head into the final stretch of conference play, with home games against Massachusetts-Lowell and Albany next on the schedule. For NJIT, the narrow loss represents a missed opportunity to sweep the season series and solidify their conference standing ahead of road trips to Bryant and a home finale against Maryland-Baltimore County.