Box Score
NEWARK, NJ – Junior guard Jessica Gerald poured in a game-high 24 points to pace the Highlanders but UMass guard Megan Zullo posted 17 points leading three double-figure players for the Minutewomen en route to a 70-59 road victory in women's basketball action at the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.
Gerald became the 11th leading scorer in school history, with 838 points, surpassing Liliana Alvarez (826 points; 1990-94), on a three-pointer at the 2:07 mark in the first half, which saw her lead all scorers at halftime with 15 points.
Sophomore point guard Melanie Griffin was another double-figure scorer for NJIT, posting a career-high 13 points (previous mark of 9 points vs. Colgate 12/9/09). Senior Katie Piekielski chipped in 10 points for the Highlanders, shooting 5-for-9 from the field.
Zullo led the Minutewomen with 17 points – 10 in the first half. Zullo made five three-point baskets, finishing the day 5-for-9.
Sophomore forward Kristina Danella recorded 16 points, pulling down seven rebounds while senior guard Diatiema Hill posted a double-double scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Minutewomen. Hill shared game-high honors with NJIT's Griffin dishing out six assists. UMass center Nicole Jones chipped in 10 points.
The Highlanders had a slight advantage on the boards, 38-37, led by freshman Rayven Johnson with eight rebounds. Forward Ivana Seric grabbed seven rebounds, six coming on the offensive end.
NJIT, which trailed 33-31 at halftime, fell behind in the opening minutes, 48-42, on a lay-up by Jasmine Watson. However, NJIT fought back and trailed by just three, 50-47, after Gerald's lay-up at 9:47.
UMass built a 14-point lead, 61-47, sparked by two free throws sank by Jones, with less than seven minutes remaining in the contest.
The Minutewomen took a 5-0 lead in the opening minutes. NJIT head coach Margaret McKeon called a 30-second timeout to regroup her team, and the Highlanders responded scoring the next five points knotting the contest, 5-5.
UMass pushed its lead to seven, 21-14, at the 12:30 mark, on a trey ball by Zullo but a jumper by Piekielski and consecutive baskets by Griffin, NJIT pulled within one point, 21-20, with 10:42 to go.
A three-pointer by UMass's Danella pushed the lead to seven, 29-22, but Gerald answered with five quick points over the next 50 seconds, pulling the Highlanders within three, 30-27, at the 2:07 mark.
The Highlanders will break and return to action at the Hilton Garden Classic hosted by Virginia Tech. NJIT is scheduled to face host Virginia Tech at 7pm on December 29.
