JACKSONVILLE, FL - The NJIT men's basketball game suffered a 68-52 setback to host Jacksonville in Swisher Gymnasium in an ASUN Conference contest on Thursday evening.

NJIT (3-12, 0-2 ASUN) drained four of its first five three-point attempts as both teams started hot out of the gates, but Jacksonville (8-9, 1-1 ASUN) finished the half on a 10-2 run to take a 34-25 lead at halftime.

The Highlanders scored the first basket of the second half to cut the margin to seven before Jacksonville answered with another run to make it a double-digit game just over four minutes into the frame.

Jacksonville's lead stayed between seven and 13 until three-pointer with 10 seconds to play made the final margin. 

After it's impressive offensive start, NJIT hit just three of its final 17 three-pointers. The Dolphins were just 3-of-17 from long range for the game, but outscored the Highlanders 42-14 in the paint.

David Bell was a big reason for the success down low, as the Ohio State transfer scored 18 points to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds for Jacksonville, which out-rebounded NJIT 43-26. Destin Barnes for the game's high scorer, tallying 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field. 

Shyquan Gibbs led NJIT with 15 points, behind a perfect 4-for-4 shooting performance from beyond the arc. San Antonio Brinson and Reilly Walsh each chipped in with nine points, while Xavier Mayo came off the bench to score six, the most in his young career. 

The Highlanders wrap up their stay in Jacksonville on Saturday, when it takes on North Florida at 5pm.