PISCATAWAY, NJ - The NJIT men's basketball team led 33-32 at halftime before ultimately falling 75-61 to host Rutgers in front of a sold out crowd on Tuesday evening at Jersey Mike's Arena.

"I thought it was a well-played game," said sixth-year Head Coach Brian Kennedy. "I tip my hat to Rutgers, they really came out the second half and made some adjustments. We had a one-point lead at the half, but every time we made something, Geo Baker seemed to hit a big shot and negate our momentum.

NJIT (1-2) opened the scoring with a three-pointer from Antwuan Butler before the teams traded the lead several times until the midway point of the opening half.

A three-pointer from Dylan O'Hearn made the score 18-16 at the 11:12 mark and the Highlanders led for the duration of the half. NJIT's biggest lead of the first half, and of the game, was five. Rutgers (3-0) scored the final four points of the first half to go into the locker room down just one point. 

The Highlanders led by as many as three early in the second half, but the Scarlet Knights took the lead on a Geo Baker three-pointer with 17:21 to play and led the rest of the way.

Rutgers' lead blossomed to as many as 16 points in the second half before they won by the eventual 14-point margin. 

O'Hearn, who finished with 20 points, was NJIT's top scorer for the second-straight game. He was joined in double figures by Miles Coleman (15 points) and Butler (13 points). Coleman also grabbed four rebounds and dished out a game-high-tying four assists. 

Souleymane Diakite pulled down a team-best nine rebounds for the Highlanders, who lost the rebounding battle 48-30.

Ron Harper Jr. led Rutgers with 20 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Baker finished with 19 points. 

"Hopefully this game gives our guys confidence," concluded Kennedy. "I told them not to hang their heads. We fought hard and that's all that a coach can ask that the kids play for you and they fight for you."

The Highlanders return to action on Saturday when they complete their season-long, three-game road trip at NEC preseason-favorite Wagner. Tip-off is slated for 7:30pm at the Sprio Sports Center on Staten Island.