Vermont Catamounts Edge NJIT Highlanders 70-64
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center
Vermont Catamounts 70, NJIT Highlanders 64, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Vermont Catamounts vs NJIT Highlanders?
Vermont Catamounts beat NJIT Highlanders 70-64 at Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center on February 21, 2026.
Who was favored in Vermont Catamounts vs NJIT Highlanders?
Vermont Catamounts were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -285 (about 74% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Vermont Catamounts defeated the NJIT Highlanders 70-64 at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center. This victory marked a significant moment for Vermont, improving their season record to 18-11, while NJIT fell to 15-14. The game showcased the competitive nature of the two teams, with Vermont looking to bounce back after a recent loss and NJIT hoping to maintain momentum from their previous successes.
Both teams entered the game with varying recent forms. NJIT had an impressive record of 8-2 in their last ten games, although they were on a one-game losing streak following a defeat to the UAlbany Great Danes, where they lost 63-81 on February 20. The Highlanders had averaged 74.2 points scored and allowed 68.0 during this stretch. Their home record stood at 3-1, while they performed well away with a 5-1 record. In contrast, Vermont had a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, but they were also on a one-game losing streak after losing to the UMBC Retrievers 62-75 on February 19. The Catamounts averaged 72.3 points scored and allowed 66.5 points during this period, with a home record of 3-1 and an away record of 3-3.
In their previous meetings this season, NJIT had edged Vermont in a narrow 79-77 victory on January 31, 2026. However, Vermont had won their earlier encounters in the 2025 season, which included a 71-61 victory at NJIT and a 68-64 win at home. This fixture was significant as it represented a chance for Vermont to level the score in their head-to-head record against NJIT, which stood at 1-2 prior to the game.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but it is common for teams to navigate player availability issues as the season progresses, potentially impacting performance.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Vermont favored by 6.5 points, with a total set at 142.5. The odds indicated a moneyline of +230 for NJIT and -285 for Vermont, reflecting the expectations surrounding the matchup.
The conditions for the game were typical for a basketball setting, with both teams looking to establish their rhythm early on. As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a competitive atmosphere, with significant scoring plays making an impact in the second half. Notable moments included Momo Nkugwa's layup assisted by Gus Yalden, which pushed Vermont ahead in the closing minutes, and Sebastian Robinson's clutch shots that kept NJIT within striking distance.
Ultimately, Vermont's ability to capitalize on free throws and make key plays in the final moments secured their victory. The game highlighted the resilience of both teams and set the stage for their upcoming challenges in the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UVM -6.5 | 142.5 o -105 / u -115 | Vermont Catamounts -285 · NJIT Highlanders +230 |
Leaders
- PointsSebastian Robinson16NJIT Highlanders
- AssistsSebastian Robinson3NJIT Highlanders
- ReboundsAri Fulton8NJIT Highlanders
- PointsGus Yalden21Vermont Catamounts
- AssistsSean Blake4Vermont Catamounts
- ReboundsSean Blake7Vermont Catamounts
Recent form
NJIT Highlanders
Last 10: 8-2Streak L174.2 scored · 68 allowed per game3-1 at home
- L63-81vs UAlbany Great DanesFeb 20
- W67-58at Maine Black BearsFeb 14
- W76-70at New Hampshire WildcatsFeb 12
- W73-64vs Binghamton BearcatsFeb 7
- W81-56vs UMass Lowell River HawksFeb 6
- W79-77at Vermont CatamountsJan 31
- W77-68at UAlbany Great DanesJan 29
- L74-87at UMBC RetrieversJan 22
- W79-55vs Bryant BulldogsJan 19
- W73-64at UMass Lowell River HawksJan 15
Vermont Catamounts
Last 10: 6-4Streak L172.3 scored · 66.5 allowed per game3-3 away
- L62-75at UMBC RetrieversFeb 19
- W90-63vs Bryant BulldogsFeb 14
- W73-65at Binghamton BearcatsFeb 12
- W80-57vs New Hampshire WildcatsFeb 7
- L70-76at Maine Black BearsFeb 5
- L77-79vs NJIT HighlandersJan 31
- W64-55vs UMBC RetrieversJan 30
- W62-52at Bryant BulldogsJan 24
- W77-68at UMass Lowell River HawksJan 22
- L68-75at UAlbany Great DanesJan 19
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMBC | 24-9 | - | 14-2 |
| Vermont | 22-12 | 2 | 12-4 |
| NJIT | 16-17 | 4 | 10-6 |
| UMass Lowell | 15-18 | 5 | 9-7 |
| UAlbany | 11-21 | 7 | 7-9 |
| Maine | 8-24 | 8 | 6-10 |
| New Hampshire | 9-21 | 9 | 5-11 |
| Bryant | 9-22 | 9 | 5-11 |
| Binghamton | 8-23 | 10 | 4-12 |
Box score
| Stat | Vermont Catamounts | NJIT Highlanders |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-52 | 21-53 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 40 |
| Three-pointers | 4-20 | 6-16 |
| Three-point % | 20 | 38 |
| Free throws | 12-21 | 16-19 |
| Free throw % | 57 | 84 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 5 |
| Defensive rebounds | 28 | 25 |
| Assists | 13 | 8 |
| Steals | 2 | 6 |
| Blocks | 4 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 4 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 44 | 26 |
| Fouls | 16 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 11 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 54 | 38 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half39-35David Bolden makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half39-36David Bolden makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half41-36TJ Hurley makes 3-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half41-38David Bolden makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half41-41Quentin Duncan makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jordan Rogers assists)
- 2nd Half41-42Sebastian Robinson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half41-43Sebastian Robinson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-43Sean Blake makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-43Sean Blake makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-43TJ Long makes driving layup
- 2nd Half46-43TJ Long makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half46-45Melvyn Ebonkoli makes layup
- 2nd Half47-45Sean Blake makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-45TJ Long makes driving layup (Sean Blake assists)
- 2nd Half49-48Quentin Duncan makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half50-48Sean Blake makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-48Noah Barnett makes layup (Gus Yalden assists)
- 2nd Half52-49Jordan Rogers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-50Jordan Rogers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-50Ben Michaels makes layup (TJ Long assists)
- 2nd Half54-52Melvyn Ebonkoli makes layup
- 2nd Half56-52Momo Nkugwa makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-54Sebastian Robinson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-55Sebastian Robinson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-56Sebastian Robinson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-56Gus Yalden makes 7-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half59-56Sean Blake makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-56Sean Blake makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-58Sebastian Robinson makes 6-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half60-59Sebastian Robinson makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half62-59Gus Yalden makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half62-61Sebastian Robinson makes 10-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half64-61Momo Nkugwa makes layup (Gus Yalden assists)
- 2nd Half64-63Sebastian Robinson makes 17-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half65-63TJ Long makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-63TJ Long makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-64Sebastian Robinson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-64Gus Yalden makes layup (TJ Hurley assists)
- 2nd Half69-64Momo Nkugwa makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-64TJ Hurley makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours NJIT Highlanders, below favours Vermont Catamounts.
Venue
- Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events CenterNewark, NJ
- OfficialsMatt Lavigne, William Flowers Jr., Josean Vega
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond