QUEENS, NY - The NJIT men's basketball team went toe-to-toe with host St. John's on Saturday, ultimately falling just short as the Red Storm prevailed 77-68 in overtime at Carnesecca Arena.

The contest was back-and-forth for the first 25 minutes as NJIT (2-3) and St. John's (5-1) traded the lead several times. '

NJIT led by a game-high six with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half, but trailed SJU 33-31 at halftime.

A 10-0 Red Storm run midway through the second half put the hosts up by 16, 58-42, but the Highlanders didn't go away, answering the SJU run with a 21-5 run of its own to eventually force overtime.

Dylan O'Hearn's layup with 2:03 to play tied the game for the first time since late in the first half. Neither team scored after O'Hearn's layup and a desperation shot from SJU at the end of regulation didn't fall.

The Red Storm scored the first basket of overtime, but James Lee answered immediately to tie the game at 65. SJU scored the next five points and never trailed again en route to the nine-point victory.

Lee did a little but of everything for the Highlanders, stuffing the stat sheet with 17 points, eight rebounds, seven steals, four assists, and a pair of blocked shots. The seven steals were the most by a Highlander since Isiah Wilkerson also had seven against NYU-Poly on December 30, 2009.

Also in double figures for the Highlanders was O'Hearn (game-high 19 points), Mekhi Gray (12 points), and Miles Coleman (11 points).

Matt Faw pulled down a season-high nine rebounds to pace the Highlanders. 

Joel Soriano and Posh Alexander each scored 16 points to lead St. John's 

The Highlanders return to action on Tuesday when they welcome Sacred Heart to Newark. Tip-off is slated for 7pm at the Wellness and Events Center.