UVM men's basketball outlasts NJIT in the America East semifinals, returning to the league final for the 10th time in coach John Becker's tenure.

NJIT Highlanders (16-16, 11-6 America East) at Vermont Catamounts (21-11, 13-4 America East) Burlington, Vermont; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Vermont and NJIT square off in the America East Tournament. The Catamounts' record in America East play is 13-4, and their record is 8-7 in non-conference games.

With a roster of overachievers like Ridgewood's Jordan Rogers, Grant Billmeier has NJIT poised for something special. Folks are starting to notice.

The Highlanders are 10-6 against America East opponents and 5-10 in non-conference play. NJIT is fourth in the America East with 23.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Ari Fulton averaging 4.9. The Black Bears are 6-10 in America East play.

Freshman Shon Abaev scored a season-high 20 points, Moustapha Thiam recorded a double-double and Cincinnati beat NJIT 94-67 on Monday night. Abaev also grabbe eight rebunds, Thiam scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and reserves Sencire Harris scored 12 points, Halvine Dzellat 11 and Jordi Rodriguez 10 for Cincinnati, which trailed for only 29 seconds. The Bearcats' (5-1) 94 points ties their season-high reached in their season opener against West Carolina on Nov. 3.