BANGOR, ME–NJIT moved to 2-0 in the America East Conference, outscoring Maine 10-2 in overtime paced by Kenna Squier's career-best 24 points on its way to a 67-59 win on Sunday afternoon inside the Cross Insurance Center.

The Highlanders, which were selected to finish eighth in the preseason conference poll, have beaten the top two favorites – Stony Brook and Maine – to open the 2021-22 season.

NJIT, winners of three in a row, improved to 7-6 overall, 2-0 in the America East.  The seven wins for the Highlanders are the most wins since the 2016-17 season when NJIT finished with 11.

The Highlanders outscored Maine 10-2 in overtime and 14-2 in the final 6:45.  Sophomore Aria Myers led the Highlanders in the overtime, netting five points followed by Squier with four of her game-best 24 points coming in the final five minutes.

Trailing by four, 53-49 in the fourth quarter with 4:23 to play, NJIT used a 9-3 spurt to tie the game at 57 to force overtime.  NJIT's Squier hit an up and under jumper just outside the paint to tie the game at 57 with forty two seconds remaining.

Squier, who set a new personal-best mark with 24 points, went 7-for-12 from the field and 10-of-12 from the free throw line while grabbing a game-best eight rebounds.  Fifth-year Ellyn Stoll was the Highlanders other double-figure scorer, combining for 16 points, connecting on four three-pointers in the win.

Guard Kendle Dalrymple came off the bench and chipped in five points in 14 minutes of action, shooting 2-for-4 from the field and 1-of-2 from downtown.

Point guard Lyzi Litwinko filled up the boxscore, adding six points, seven rebounds and four assists.  Maria Fux and Lilly Anderson each pulled down five rebounds as the Highlanders out-rebounded the Black Bears, 40-to-35.

The Highlanders combined for 24 second chance points and outscored the Black Bears 14-2 in bench points.

Maine (4-8, 1-1 America East) had three players reach double-figures led by Anne Simon's 19 points followed by Maeve Carroll (16) and Alba Orios (15).

A low scoring game to start the first quarter, Lyzi Litwinko knocked down a three-pointer with the shot clock winding down as the Highlanders held a one-point advantage, 5-4, heading into the first media timeout.  Fifth-year Ellyn Stoll hit a three-pointer of her own which sparked a 7-4 spurt to end the first 10 minutes up by four, 12-8.

The second period saw both teams trade points in the first three minutes until Squier's free throw sparked a 7-0 run capped by a three-pointer from Maria Fux, taking a six-point lead, 21-15.  The Highlanders went ahead by as many as eight, 26-18, on a trey ball by Stoll.

Maine exploded for 21 third quarter points and held a three-point lead, 44-41, heading into the fourth quarter.  

The contest between NJIT and UMass Lowell, scheduled for Wednesday, January 8 inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the UMass Lowell program.  Per America East policy, every effort will be made to reschedule postponed games. Rescheduled dates will be announced at a later time. 

NJIT will return to action on Saturday, January 8 when the Highlanders visit Binghamton in Vestal, NY.  Tipoff is set for 2pm.