VIDEO: NJIT Highlights

ALBANY, NY - The NJIT men's basketball team was defeated 83-71 by host Albany on Sunday in America East action at the SEFCU Arena.

The victory gave Albany (3-5, 3-3 America East) the weekend series sweep, while NJIT (4-6, 3-5 America East) suffered its third-straight loss. 

Similar to Saturday's game, the Highlanders led just once, 7-6, in the first few minutes and once the Great Danes retook the lead, they never gave it up. 

NJIT was able to keep their deficit to a minimum throughout the first 20 minutes, but a late 6-0 run from Albany gave the hosts a 36-27 advantage at halftime. 

"I thought we played well until the last two minutes of the first half," said Head Coach Brian Kennedy. "We had a chance to cut it to one, but missed a layup and they answered with six straight. What could've been a one-point game, became a nine-point game."

The Great Danes opened up the second half draining three-straight three-pointers and were able to open up the margin to a comfortable 15-point lead less than two minutes into the half. 

Zach Cooks, who played all 40 minutes for the second-straight game, was able to help the Highlanders get back into the contest as he scored 15 second half points, including a three-pointer that cut the UAlbany lead to eight, 59-51, with just under 11 minutes to go.

Unfortunately, Cooks and his NJIT teammates were unable to get within seven the rest of the way, before the Great Danes ultimately pulled out the 12-point victory.

Cooks' fellow senior captain San Antonio Brinson (4-of-4 3FG) led the Highlanders with 16 points. Mekhi Gray set a new career-best with eight in a career-high 24 minutes, while Diego Willis (nine points), Miles Coleman (eight points), and Kjell de Graaf (eight points) all had effificent performances off the bench for NJIT.

Willis pulled down a career-high and game-high nine rebounds, while also dishing out a team-best three assists. 

"Diego gave us a great lift offensively yesterday and today he did it with rebounding and distributing the ball," added Kennedy. "I'm really enjoying watching his growth."

Antonio Rizzuto led four Great Danes in double figures with 19 points

NJIT will look to end its losing skid next Saturday when it hosts Stony Brook in the first of two games at the Wellness and Events Center next weekend. Saturday and Sunday's games are both slated to begin at 2pm.

"We've been on the road a lot, and we are certainly looking forward to playing at home next weekend," concluded Kennedy.