Kimi Evans Leads NJIT with 20 Points and Nine Rebounds in Win Over Vermont

Redshirt junior Kimi Evans scored a career-best 20 points and nine rebounds, leading NJIT to a 70-60 America East Conference victory over Vermont in women's basketball action inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.

The Highlanders, which exploded for 26 fourth quarter points, connected on nine three-pointers for the game, tying the season-best mark (nine at New Hampshire in NJIT's 78-57 win) while shooting 52.9 percent from behind the arc.  

In addition to Kimi Evans game-best 20 points, the 6-foot-4 forward finished 7-for-13 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range. She led all players with nine rebounds, pacing NJIT on the glass as the Highlanders out-rebounded the Catamounts, 43-to-34.

Sophomore guard Kenna Squier filled up the boxscore, scoring 12 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out a game-best four assists. Kendle Dalrymple added 11 points, going a perfect 3-of-3 from downtown and 4-for-5 from the field in 11 minutes off the bench. Dani Evans added nine points, knocking down three three-pointers followed by nine points from senior Ellyn Stoll.

Vermont had four players in double-figures, led by Anna Olson's team-best 17 points and seven rebounds. Madison Smith and Delaney Richason each combined for 12 points followed by 10 points from Emma Utterback.

An early opening battle between the two teams, saw the score tied at 7-all, heading into the first media timeout. NJIT scored the next five points, capped by a Dani Evans three-pointer for a 12-7 advantage. Vermont closed the gap in the final minute after a short 4-1 run, pulling within one, 14-13.

Dani Evans opened the second quarter with her second three-pointer and older sister Kimi Evans added a three-pointer from the top of the key to give NJIT a five-point lead, 22-17 at the 6:35 mark. Vermont scored the next five points, cutting the deficit to one, 23-22. After three scoreless minutes, NJIT rallied for a 10-2 run, behind a pair of three-pointers from Dalrymple, giving the Highlanders a four-point advantage, 32-28, heading into the half.

NJIT's Kimi Evans led all scorers after the first 20 minutes with eight points followed by Dani Evans (6) and Dalrymple (6). For Vermont, Smith led the Catamounts with seven points in six minutes of action off the bench.

A quick 5-0 start for the Highlanders to begin the third quarter, increased the NJIT lead to nine, 37-28, resulting in a Vermont timeout with 8:42 on the clock. Over the next 4:59, Vermont scored 11 straight, and would regain the lead, 39-38.

NJIT came out on fire in the fourth stanza, scoring the first six points on back-to-back three-pointers for a 50-44 lead at the 8:35 mark.  Both teams went back and forth as Stoll put NJIT ahead by four after an old-fashioned three-point play, 55-51, at the 5:35 mark.  

Vermont responded scoring the four straight, knotting the game at 55 at the under five minute timeout. Kimi Evans sparked an 8-0 run, extending the Highlander lead to eight, 63-55, with less than two minutes to play.  

The Catamounts would get as close as six, 63-57, as Squier scored the final seven points for the Highlanders from the free throw line to secure the team's second America East win of the season with a 70-60 home victory.

Both teams will return to action on Monday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.