VIDEO: NJIT Highlights

LOWELL, MA - The NJIT men's basketball team suffered a 74-60 setback to host UMass Lowell in the second game of an America East Conference series hosted by the River Hawks on Sunday, January 3.

NJIT (3-3, 2-2 America East) won the series opener by six points on Saturday and hung tough on Sunday before a late run from UML (3-7, 2-4 America East) gave the hosts the series split.

Antwuan Butler paced four Highlanders in double-digits with a career-high 15 points, eclipsing his previous best of 14, set last season at Austin Peay. Butler was 10-of-12 from the foul line and also grabbed four rebounds and recorded three steals.

After NJIT started yesterday's game on fire, it was UMass Lowell that opened up Sunday's game with eight unanswered. The Highlanders weathered the storm though and were able to cut into the early hole and eventually led by as many as three, 26-23, with just over five minutes to play in the opening half.

The Highlanders' lead was short-lived, however, as the River Hawks jumped back in front 34-33 as the game hit halftime.

Souleymane Diakite's layup to open the second half gave NJIT a 35-34 advantage, but that would be the squad's final lead of the game. The margin stayed within six for much of half, but an 8-0 run from UMass Lowell gave the hosts a comfortable, 14-point cushion with just over three minutes to play to en route to the 74-60 victory. 

In addition to Butler, Diakite (13 points), Zach Cooks (12 points) and Dylan O'Hearn (10 points) all finished with double figures in the scoring column, while Diakite pulled down a team-best eight rebounds in 38 minutes of action. 

Cooks and O'Hearn have now scored at least 10 points in all six games this season and are averaging 16.2 ppg and 15.5 ppg, respectively. San Antonio Brinson (11.5 ppg) and Diakite (10.2 ppg) are also averaging double figures on the young season. 

Salif Boudie led all scorers with 18 points to help the River Hawks snap a four-game losing skid. Boudie also grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds as his team won the rebounding battle, 48-29. 

After six road games to start the season, the Highlanders will finally play in the friendly confines of the Wellness and Events Center next weekend when they host Maine in a two-game America East Conference series. Tip-off against the Black Bears is slated for 2pm on both Saturday and Sunday.