VIDEO: NJIT Highlights at Saint Peter's
JERSEY CITY, NJ--Freshman Aria Myers netted 11 points, including the game-tying three-pointer to send the game into overtime but it wasn't enough as Saint Peter's held on for a 69-64 overtime victory against visiting NJIT in the 2020-21 season opener for both teams at John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center on the campus of New Jersey City University.
Myers, the 5-foot-9 guard from Cedar Grove, NJ, made her collegiate debut, combining for 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point range in 17 minutes of action off the bench.
The balanced attack for the Highlanders saw 11 players in the scoring column.
Senior guard Ellyn Stoll and redshirt junior center Kimi Evans added nine points while forward Lindsey Syrek and guard Grace Plummer, both making their collegiate debut, recorded eight and six points respectively.
Evans led the Highlanders on the boards with eight rebounds followed by Syrek (6), Kenna Squier (6) and Lyzi Litwinko (6). Litwinko dished out five assists in her first game in a Highlander uniform.
Saint Peter's was led by Preseason second-team All-MAAC honoree Taiah Thornton who combined for a triple double, notching 15 points, 11 steals and 11 rebounds. Ajia James registered a double-double, 13 points and 10 rebounds while Binta Salawu posted 14 points followed by Kendrea Williams with 13.
The Peacocks outrebounded the Highlanders on the glass, 62-to-51, behind a game-best 13 rebounds from Sky Castro.
Saint Peter's started off the contest, scoring the first nine points of the game in the opening four minutes of action. NJIT stopped Saint Peter's 9-0 run on an in-bounds layup by Kimi Evans, sparking a 6-2 spurt for a 14-6 score, heading into the media timeout. NJIT sophomore Kenna Squier knocked down her first points of the game on a three-pointer from the top of the key, a friendly roll off the backboard to end the first quarter, cutting the deficit to seven, 20-13.
The visitors dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Peacocks, 23-12 and shooting an impressive 51 percent from the field. NJIT took its first lead of the game on a three-pointer from Kendle Dalrymple, 27-25, just under the five-minute mark and closed out the period on a 12-7 run, heading into the half. NJIT held Saint Peter's to just 2-of-15 shooting from the field.
Stoll led NJIT with nine points, on 3-of-4 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range while Saint Peter's Williams led all scorers with 11 points after the first 20 minutes.
NJIT continued its momentum in the third quarter, scoring the first five points after a three-pointer by Maria Fux and jumper by Squier, extending the Highlander lead, 41-32. Saint Peter's rallied back, using a 8-2 run to slim the Highlander lead to three, 43-40, at the 6:46 mark. The Peacocks knotted the game at 45 at the 2:47 mark and Plummer answered with a three-pointer on the opposite end, pushing the Highlanders ahead by two, 47-45.
The fourth quarter got off to a slow start, which saw neither team score in the opening 3:30 until a jumper by Saint Peter's James for a 49-47 advantage. After back-to-back baskets by the Highlanders, the visitors went ahead by three, 51-49 at the 4:17 mark. Saint Peter's scored five straight points to take a 56-53 lead but NJIT's Myers sent the game into overtime by knocking down a three-pointer from the corner with :17 seconds to tie the game at 56.
In overtime, Myers connected on her second three-pointer of the game, giving the Highlanders a one-point lead, 59-58 but Saint Peter's cruised to an 11-2 spurt to take a 69-61 lead with :10 second remaining in the game.
NJIT will return to action and debut in the America East Conference on December 5-6 when the Highlanders visit New Hampshire.
