NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT Highlanders (18-9, 6-6 ASUN) fell to the North Florida Ospreys (12-16, 6-7 ASUN) in a heart breaker at the Wellness and Events Center, 64-63.

The Highlanders closed the game on an 11-2 run and narrowly missed hitting a buzzer beater to win the game as their comeback efforts fell just short.

HIGHLIGHTS: NJIT vs. North Florida

Despite the loss, due to results around the conference, NJIT officially clinched their place in the ASUN Championship.

Senior Abdul Lewis finished with a double-double featuring 20 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Zach Cooks, who played all 40 minutes of the game, ended with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Lewis and Diandre Wilson started off the scoring for the Highlanders, splitting the opening six points of the game, before succumbing to scoreless four minute run.

North Florida were able to open up a lead thanks their three-point shooting, hitting four of their first eight to start the game.

Lewis broke NJIT's scoreless run recording eight consecutive points until Shyquan Gibbs drained a three pointer at the 7:30 mark.

Lewis scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half on 6-10 field goals.

NJIT's offense rounded into form finishing the first half on a 12-2 run.

The run featured buckets from four different players, including six points from Cooks, and the Highlanders headed into the locker room shooting 50% from the field trailing by two points, 33-31.

NJIT came out flying in the second half, starting on a 9-2 run in the opening 2:30. A pair of free throws and a monstrous dunk by San Antonio Brinson set the tone as the Highlanders opened up a five-point lead within the first three minutes.

However, North Florida responded with a 7-0 run and regained the lead by the 11-minute mark.

The Highlanders went scoreless for four-and-a-half minutes until a pair of Gibbs free throws ended the run with five minutes remaining.

NJIT's offensive struggles continued, but a thunderous dunk by Brinson with 2:30 remaining broke another scoring drought to pull NJIT within eight points.

A pair of free throws from Lewis combined with a three pointer from Wilson with 50 seconds remaining trimmed UNF's lead to six.

NJIT fouled and North Florida made one free throw, but Cooks drained a corner three as the lead shrank to four points with 37 seconds left.

The Ospreys were again sent to the line, but missed both free throws and Wilson was fouled while taking a three pointer with 22 seconds on the clock. He made all three free throws as the lead dwindled to a single point.

The Highlanders fouled with 10 seconds left and North Florida missed both free throws. Without any timeouts, the Highlanders stormed down the court, but some strong defense by the visitors forced a difficult shot from Lewis which fell short as NJIT picked up its fourth consecutive loss.

The NJIT Highlanders will remain at home in Newark, N.J., to host Stetson on Wednesday, February 20, at 7 p.m. ET.

Tickets are available for purchase on www.NJITtix.com.