NEWARK, NJ—The New Year brings the start of ASUN Conference play, which lands the NJIT women's basketball team at home inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center, hosting Liberty on January 4.
Tip-off is slated for 1pm in the Wellness and Events Center as part of a doubleheader with the NJIT men, tipping off at 4pm against the Flames with both games on ESPN+.
Watch Game Live on ESPN+
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Michael Ventola, the voice of the Highlander women, will handle the play-by-play with and color analysis from
Matt Provence.
A simple way to find ESPN+ is on NJIT's official athletics website, www.njithighlanders.com. Near the middle of the home page under the headlines section, an upcoming events calendar lists scheduled NJIT contests. After finding the event, click the camera icon to the left of the event listing. That brings you to an ESPN+ portal where you can access the desired program.
All-Time Series
NJIT and Liberty will meet for the third time in program history on Saturday. NJIT will look for its first all-time win over the Flames. The Flames picked up a pair of wins over the Highlanders in 2018-19.
Last Time Out
Binghamton's Kai Moon scored a game-best 27 points, leading the Bearcats to a 75-40 victory over visiting NJIT to conclude the non-conference slate Monday evening at The Events Center.
NJIT's
Danielle Tunstall combined for her fourth double-double of the season and 15th of her career, netting 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds followed by freshman guard
Kenna Squier, who netted 14 points on 6-of-13 from the field and pulling down six rebounds. Squier dished out a team-best four assists (one-shy her personal mark).
Scouting the Highlanders
NJIT (3-10, 0-0 ASUN) will look to snap a four-game skid on Saturday at 1pm. NJIT returns home to NJIT's Wellness and Events Center after playing the last four-out-of-five contests on the road. NJIT last won on December 7, 61-52, at Harford, which saw the Highlanders win three straight in the stretch.
The Highlanders are led by senior
Danielle Tunstall's 13.0ppg and 9.1rpg. The forward from Willingboro, NJ, has netted double-digits in the scoring column in seven of the last eight games with a high of season-high 22 points at Wagner. Tunstall has combined for four double-doubles in the stretch. Her 9.1rpg ranks third in the ASUN.
NJIT freshman
Kenna Squier is the Highlanders other double-figure scorer, averaging 10.2ppg while shooting 47 percent from the field. Redshirt freshman
Maddie Martin ranks in the top four in three-point percentage in the league at 48.1 percent (13-for-27).
Beanie Giveaway
The first 104 fans to attend each game of the NJIT basketball doubleheader against Liberty on January 4 (women at 1pm; men at 4pm) will receive a FREE NJIT Adidas Beanie.
ASUN Preseason Coaches' Poll
The ASUN Conference announced its official Preseason All-Conference team and Coaches' Polls and the Highlanders were selected to finish eighth out of nine teams the league office. Liberty which finished the 2018-19 season with a 16-16 overall mark, 10-6 in ASUN play was selected second.
Scouting the Flames
At 7-6 and winners of five straight, Liberty will take a winning record into the start of ASUN play for the first time since the 2014-15 season. The current five-game win streak began December 3 against East Carolina. Liberty finished the month of December with a 5-0 record.
The Liberty women's basketball team headed into the Christmas holiday on a high note after a dominating 68-44 victory over Roo Holiday Classic host Kansas City in the tournament's de facto championship game, led by tournament MVP Asia Todd.
The Flames are led Keyen Green and Emily Lytle who are averaging 11.8ppg and 11.0ppg respectively. Green tops the team on the boards at 6.8rpg and blocks with 10 while ranking third in the ASUN in field goal percentage (58.9). Lytle paces Liberty from three-point range, combining for 19 three-pointers.
Up Next
NJIT will make its first road trip to Florida in ASUN Conference play, first visiting North Florida on January 11 at 1pm and Jacksonville on Monday at 7pm.
