VIDEO: Post Game Show w/ Coach Lane | NJIT Highlights vs. UNA
NEWARK, NJ--Senior guard Ivy Wallen hit a jumper with :08 seconds, leading North Alabama to a 57-55 road victory at NJIT in ASUN Conference action Monday evening inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.
NJIT (3-18, 0-8 in ASUN) down five with 2:12 left in the game sank a three-pointer from the top of the key by junior Ellyn Stoll and Kenna Squier connected with a driving layup with :28 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 55-all.
North Alabama (15-6, 6-3 in ASUN) called for a timeout with :10 seconds, which setup the game-winning basket, scored by Ivy Wallen on a jumper inside the three-point arc. Wallen finished with a team-best 15 points and eight assists.
The Highlanders had a chance with :05 seconds but the shot went off the back of the rim as the Lions held on for a 57-55 victory.
In addition to Ivy Wallen's 15 points, Ansley Eubank netted 13 points while Kenysha Coulson and Jaida Bond each netted eight points.
NJIT was led by freshman guard Kenna Squier, who combined for 19 points and five rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
Senior forward Danielle Tunstall combined for 13 points and six rebounds while senior forward Milena Bajic pulled down a team-best 10 rebounds as the Highlanders out-rebounded the Lions, 32-25. Junior guard Ellyn Stoll added seven points, three rebounds and three assists.
North Alabama scored the opening basket and the home team netted six straight for an early 6-3 advantage. North Alabama used a 10-3 spurt to take a three-point lead, 13-10 at the 2:45 mark. Sophomore Samantha Schultz scored four consecutive points for NJIT, closing the Lion gap to within one, 15-14.
NJIT regained its lead 17-15 scoring the opening five points of the second period. North Alabama scored back-to-back three-pointers for a 21-19 lead and the Highlanders Ellyn Stoll backdoor cut and two free throws by Milena Bajic put the Highlanders ahead 23-21 at the three-minute mark. The Lions scored the final six points of the period, holding a four-point lead, 27-23.
Tunstall led all players with seven points after the first 20 minutes while Milena Bajic grabbed six rebounds to pace NJIT.
NJIT scored the seven straight points, knotting the game at 30-all, capped by a jumper in the paint by Tunstall. The Lions went on an 8-2 spurt, taking a 38-32 advantage at the 4:30 mark. NJIT's Squier scored the last eight points in the quarter, slimming the Lion lead to five, 45-40. Squier scored 10 of her 14 points in the third stanza.
NJIT will host Jacksonville on Saturday, February 8 at 1pm inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center as part of a doubleheader with the NJIT men who will host the Dolphins at 4pm. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
