NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT men's basketball team was defeated by visiting Binghamton in America East action on Saturday evening, falling 68-57 at the Wellness and Events Center.

NJIT is now 8-9 on the season and 3-4 in America East play, while the Bearcats improved to 7-8 overall and 4-2 in the America East. The teams split the season series as NJIT was victorious earlier this month on Binghamton's home floor.

The Highlanders started strong, scoring the first four points of the game on a pair of baskets from Antwuan Butler and Keeshawn Mason. Binghamton answered with the next seven points to take their first lead of the game and went ahead 11-6 just over five minutes into the game.

NJIT was able to dig into the BU lead and jumped back in front 18-17 on a pair of free throws from Mekhi Gray and extended the lead to seven, 24-17, at the 7:11 mark of the first half on a layup from Souleymane Diakite. The Highlanders, who led by as many as eight in the opening half, took a 33-29 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

Binghamton set the tone for the second half, quickly scoring the first four points to tie the game and took their first lead of the second half 41-40 with 15:38 to play.

The Bearcats broke a 44-44 tie minutes later and held onto their lead for the duration of the contest, going ahead by as many as 12 late in the half before ultimately winning by the 11-point margin. 

Diakite tied his season-high with 14 points and narrowly missed a double-double, pulling down a team-high nine boards. The senior was joined in double figures by Butler, who tallied 12 points, and Miles Coleman, who scored 10. Gray was efficient off the bench, scoring nine points of his own and grabbing five rebounds in 21 minutes of action. Coleman also flirted with a double-double, grabbing eight rebounds. 

Jacob Falko was Binghamton's top scorer, netting 20 points, while Christian Hinckson tallied 15 and John McGriff scored 11. Hinckson also finished with a game-high 10 rebounds to complete the double-double.

NJIT will look to get back in the win column on Wednesday when it travels to UMBC for a 7pm contest in Baltimore. The Retrievers topped the Highlanders earlier this season in Newark.  Read Full Article