WEST POINT, NY - An early second half run turned a tie game into a double-digit lead as host Army West Point pulled away to defeat the NJIT men's basketball team 75-65 on Wednesday at Christl Arena.

Souleymane Diakite's buzzer-beating dunk tied the game at 31-31 at halftime, but the Black Knights (4-3) used a 10-0 run after the break to take control of the game en route to the 10-point victory over the Highlanders (2-6).

The first half was back-and-forth with neither the lead changing hands 12 times and neither team leading by more than four points, but Army used a 17-3 run over 3:24 early in the second half to pull away from the Highlanders.

The aforementioned run put the Black Knights ahead by a game high 15 points just over five minutes into the second half. 

NJIT answered the run with one of its own, and was able to get within five on two occasions just past the midway point of the half.

A bucket from Zach Cooks made the score 56-51 with 8:51 on the clock, but the Highlanders hit a dry spell and Army scored six-straight points to rebuild its double-digit lead. 

The Highlanders were unable to get within nine the rest of the way.

A big difference in the game came from beyond the arc as the Black Knights shot 50.0% (9-of-18) from deep and NJIT shot just 26.9% (7-of-26). San Antonio Brinson and Diego Willis each grabbed seven rebounds to lead the squad. Willis' total set a new career high, as did Levar Williams' five rebounds.

Cooks and Army's Tommy Funk each scored 23 points to lead all scorers, while Kjell de Graaf chipped in with 11 points to finish in double figures for the second-consecutive game.

All 10 NJIT players who saw the court found the scoring column on Wednesday.

The Highlanders complete their season-long, four-game road trip on Saturday when they travel south to Orlando to take on Central Florida. Tip-off is slated for 12pm at the Addition Financial Arena.