Brinson's Buzzer Beater Lifts NJIT to First America East Victory at League Favorite Vermont

In a game that lasted 50 minutes, it was a put-back layup in the final tenth of a second that made the difference. 

San Antonio Brinson's buzzer-beating layup put NJIT ahead for good as the Highlanders earned their inaugural America East Conference victory over defending league champions and preseason favorite Vermont on Monday at Patrick Gymnasium. 

Career-high performances from Dylan O'Hearn (26 points) and Souleymane Diakite (20 points) led the way for NJIT (2-2, 1-1 America East), while senior captains Zach Cooks (16 points) and Brinson (14 points) helped the squad earn the historic victory over UVM (2-2, 2-2 America East). 

"These four guys were outstanding tonight," said fifth-year Head Coach Brian Kennedy. "Dylan was huge down the stretch and in overtime, Souleymane was a monster down low, San Antonio's shot at the buzzer speaks for itself, and Zach was Zach."

Cooks played all 50 minutes in the win against the Catamounts, which defeated NJIT by 14 on Sunday and held a double-digit, second half advantage in Monday's contest.

Instead of folding, the Highlanders scored 12-straight midway through the second half and took their first lead since early in the first half on a layup from Diakite. Prior to the Diakite basket, NJIT got back-to-back three-pointers from Cooks and O'Hearn to tie the contest.

"Yesterday was our first America East game and we were able to go over the tape and correct some of the mistakes," added Kennedy. "Today was a new day though, and it was a new opportunity. I was excited in the fight when we were down. I was proud of the way we fought and grinded." 

The teams traded baskets for the rest of regulation as neither team led by more than four points for the final 13 minutes of the second half. NJIT had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but a three-point attempt from Cooks failed to go down and game headed to overtime.

Vermont scored the first four points of overtime, before O'Hearn stepped up with a pair of huge three-pointers to put NJIT back in front. UVM was able to tie the game once more and a driving runner from Antwuan Butler fell just short to force a second overtime period.

In the second overtime, it was O'Hearn who stepped up big once again with five points, but his most important play came in the final seconds with the Catamounts ahead 81-80. The junior lost his footing driving to the hoop, but was able to pass it behind the back to Diego Willis on the perimeter instead of traveling or losing the ball. Willis fired up a desperation heave, which fell short.

Luckily for the Highlanders, Brinson was in the right place at the right time and put it in the basket as time expired. 

In addition to Diakite's career-best scoring numbers, the Mali native also pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds to record his sixth-career double-double.

"Vermont is an excellent defensive team and very well-coached, so it helped to have a bunch of different options on offense, both inside and on the perimiter," concluded Kennedy. "Souleymane is a big reason we won this game."

Kennedy and the Highlanders defeated UVM for the first time in six opportunities dating back to the series beginning in 2007. Additionally, NJIT is just the eighth America East Conference loss for Vermont in its last 78 conference games (including tournaments).

Ryan Davis, who missed last weekend's series split at UMass Lowell for UVM, scored a game-high 27 points in defeat.

NJIT will look to bring the momentum to Lowell, MA, next weekend when it plays two more America East games against host UMass Lowell. Saturday's contest begins at 3 p.m., while Sunday's will start at 1 p.m.