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NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT men's basketball team snapped its seven-game losing streak with a 74-46 victory over visiting Kean on Sunday afternoon at the Wellness at Events Center.

With the win, the Highlanders (3-9) remained perfect in 30 contests against non-Division I opponents since their move to the NCAA's top level and are now 23-0 vs. Division III squads. Sunday's win marked the third-straight year that NJIT was victorious over Kean (2-9).

"It's always hard to come off of final examination week," explained Head Coach Brian Kennedy. "Our guys went through a lot this past week, but credit to them for coming out and performing today."

Zach Cooks finished with a game-high 20 points for his 11th 20+-point effort through 12 games this season and Souleymane Diakite recorded his second-straight double-double, tallying career-highs in both points (13) and rebounds (18) to pace the Highlanders, who led for more than 36 minutes in Sunday's game.

Kean scored five of the first seven points, but NJIT scored eight-straight points to take the lead and didn't give it up the rest of the way.

A late first-half run from the Cougars made what once was a 17-point first half lead just eight, 36-28, at halftime. 

The Highlanders re-focused at the break and only gave up 18 points after halftime, en route to the comfortable 28-point victory.

Cooks and Diakite were joined in double figures by Reilly Walsh, who poured in a season-high 14 points to go along with a season-best seven rebounds. Byron Breland III and Diego Willis each scored nine to lead a balanced Highlanders' offensive attack. 

In addition to Diakite's big day in the scoring and rebounding columns, the Mali native also finished with four blocks and three assists. 

As a team, NJIT assisted on 16 of their 28 made field goals, with Cooks and Willis each dishing out four to lead the way.

"I'm happy for our guys, now they can go home and re-focus for a few days over the break," concluded Kennedy. "Then once they're back on campus later this week, we'll get back to working hard on the court and getting better each day."

NJIT will take a few days off for the holidays and return to action on Sunday when it travels to play UConn in Hartford. Tip-off is slated for 1pm and the game will be televised on SNY.