NEWARK, NJ–NJIT will conclude its road slate on Saturday when the Highlanders visit Vermont.
Game Information
Tip off is slated for 4pm inside Patrick Gymnasium on ESPN+ with in-game statistics available on UVMAthletics.com.
All-Time Series
Vermont leads the all-time series, 14-1. The lone win for the Highlanders dates back to December 2020 in Newark, a 70-60 home victory. The Catamounts have won the last 10 meetings.
17 Wins - Most Wins in the NJIT Division Era
The victory at UAlbany on Thursday night (70-64) marked NJIT's first win against UAlbany since 2008, and the first time the Highlanders have won at UAlbany. The 17 wins are the most in NJIT Division I Program History, highlighting a season of progress.
9 Road Wins - Most in the NJIT Division I Era
The nine road wins is a new NJIT DI record, surpassing the old mark of eight during the 2021-22 season.
8 America East Conference Wins
The 8-6 mark in the America East ties the second-highest win total since joining the league in the 2020-21 season. The 2022-23 and 2024-25 seasons NJIT finished with eight conference victories. In the 2021-22 season, NJIT combined for nine league victories.
Last Time Out
NJIT had four players reach double-figures led by Alejandra Zuniga's game-high 25 points as the Highlanders secured a big road win at UAlbany, 70-64, in America East Conference women's basketball action inside Broadview Center.
The victory marked NJIT's first win against UAlbany since 2008, and the first time the Highlanders have won at UAlbany. The 17 wins are the most in NJIT Division I Program History, highlighting a season of progress. Additionally, the nine road wins is a new NJIT DI record, surpassing the old mark of eight during the 2021-22 season.
In addition to Zuniga's 25 points, which included four three-pointers to lead the team in scoring. Allison Cannon added 16 points and collected three steals while Olivia Kulyk chipped in 10 points, recorded three blocks and grabbed seven rebounds. Guard Marissa Gingrich contributed 10 points and three assists.
Highlander Hits
–The Highlanders 17 wins have come against UAlbany, Maine, Bryant, UMass Lowell (2x), New Hampshire (2x), UMBC, Delaware State, Lafayette, Sacred Heart, Fordham, St. Thomas, and home wins against Wagner, Saint Peter's Manhattan, and Drexel.
–The 17 overall wins marks the fifth consecutive season with double-digit wins.
–The 17 wins are the most wins in NJIT Division I program history.
–The 16-15 overall record in 2012-13 was the first winning record and highest wins total in the Division I era (began 2006-07). Only the 2004-05 team (18 wins) and the 2005-06 team (17 wins in the program's final Division II season) have won more.
–NJIT is 8-6 in the America East and tied for fourth with Bryant.
–The nine non-conference wins are the most in the NJIT DI era.
–NJIT started out the season 10-4, which marks the best start in the NJIT Division I era and best start since the 2005-06 season.
–In the last two seasons, NJIT has won the America East Conference opener.
–Senior Alejandra Zuniga made history becoming NJIT's all-time leading scorer in women's basketball history in the Highlanders 78-65 road victory over Bryant in America East Conference women's basketball action inside Chase Athletic Center. Zuniga, who entered the game with 1,489 points, scored her milestone points in the third quarter at the 4:07 on a layup to become NJIT's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Jessica Gerald (1,504 career points; 2007-11). She finished with a game-high 27 points and eight rebounds.
– Zuniga tallied a program-record 39 points at UMBC on January 1, 2026 for the Highlanders first conference win of the 2026 season.
–Zuniga tallied her 300th career assist vs. UAlbany on January 29 after dishing out five assists.
–Zuniga ranks second in the America East Conference in scoring (18.1ppg), t-third in assists (4.0), and third in minutes (33.5).
–Sophomore Allison Cannon registered a triple-double (14pts, 11ast, 10reb) against Lafayette on November 30, which marked the first triple double in NJIT Division I era and the third triple double all-time.
–Sophomore Olivia Kulyk leads the America East Conference in overall three-point field goals made (65) and tops the conference in three-pointers per game (2.5). She sits fifth in the conference in scoring at (15.3ppg).
–The 48-point win margin of victory over Saint Peter's on November 19 is the most against a Division I opponent since 2012.
–The 82 total points at Fordham on November 7 are the most points scored by the Highlanders this season.
–NJIT has scored 80 or more points in three games this season.
–The Highlanders have had four players score in double-digits in five games this season.
–NJIT started the 2025 season 6-1 for the first time in program history.
--In the last four seasons, NJIT has won the season opener and started 1-0.
Scouting the Catamounts of Vermont
Vermont enters Saturday's game with a 22-7 overall record, 11-3 in the America East and most recently fell to UMBC, 46-44. UMBC answered with five seconds remaining as Tillman hit a stepback jumper to secure the 46-44 victory.
The Catamounts have three players that are averaging double-figures led by Nikola Priede (17.1ppg), Keira Hanson (13.9ppg) and Jadyn Weltz (11.7ppg). Priede has been named 2 of the 10 semifinalists for the HerHoopStats Mid-Major Player of the Year.
On the boards, Priede tops the team with 7.8rpg and 39 blocks followed by Malia Lenz 6.9rpg.
Keira Hanson paces the America East Conference in three-point field goal percentage (42.6 %) and has connected on 55 three-pointers.
Last Time Out vs. Vermont in Newark
With the game tied at 61 with 2.9 seconds, Vermont Nikola Priede won it at the buzzer to lead the Catamounts to a 63-61 road victory at NJIT in America East Conference action Saturday afternoon inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
The game tied at 61 with 2.9 seconds left, Vermont floated the ball into the post, finding Priede who controlled the ball after NJIT's Ava Locklear got a hand on it but Priede turned towards the basket on the baseline and elevated over the Highlander defense netting the game winner to edge the Highlanders.
NJIT down by as many as 14 in the third quarter, 51-37, battled its way back and finished the third quarter on a 6-2 run, cutting the lead to 10, behind six points from Olivia Kulyk.
With less than eight to go in the fourth quarter, NJIT went on a 18-6 run and tied the game at 61-all on a tough bucket by Alejandra Zuniga with three seconds left to go in the contest.
Next Up
NJIT will play its final regular season match of the season on Saturday, February 28 at 4:30pm when the Highlanders host Bryant on Senior Night/Alumnae Day.
Stay Connected
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