NEWARK, NJ—Leah Horton scored nine of her game-leading 17 points in the opening 20 minutes, helping NJIT to a 45-16 halftime lead and the Highlanders cruised to a 92-39 women's basketball victory over visiting College of St. Joseph's (Vermont) Saturday afternoon at the Fleisher Athletic Center.

Horton connected on 7-of-8 field goals attempts, while grabbing four rebounds in 16 minutes of action as the Highlanders snapped a five-game skid and improved to 9-15 on the season.

In addition to the sophomore Horton, the Highlanders got a career-high 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting from Camerin Spahn, another sophomore, while Ruta Vetra set a new career mark with 11 points and five rebounds. 

Freshman Maria Ruban put together a strong performance, scoring a new personal-mark in points (12 on 6-of-7 from the field) and rebounds (7).  Guards Ronni Grandison and Martina Matejcikova each chipped in 10 points for the winners.

College of St. Joseph's (17-5) received 14 points from Regina Steele, followed by 11 points from Jazz Laracuente.  Steele shared game rebounding honors with NJIT's 6-foot-5 center Ruban.
 
NJIT got going early, scoring the opening six points of the game, and extended its lead to double-figures, 19-6, with 11:06 left in the first half, after nine straight points by the home team.

Senior Kim Tullis' three-point basket triggered a 9-2 spurt, stretching the lead to 18, 28-10, at the 8:05 mark and NJIT closed out the first period on a 17-2 run for a 45-16 halftime advantage.  NJIT's Spahn led all scorers at the break with 10 points, while Grandison and Horton netted eight points apiece.  Laracuente scored nine first-half points for the Lady Saints.
The Highlanders pushed their lead above 30 for the first time at 47-16, following a fast-break layup by Horton with 44 seconds into te second half and the Highlanders led by at least 40 over the final 13:45.  NJIT's biggest lead was 56 (92-36) after a jumper for Grandison with 37 seconds left in the game.