Box Score Cincinnati, OH - The NJIT men's basketball team was defeated 86-60 by host Cincinnati on Wednesday evening in the first-ever matchup between the programs at the Fifth Third Arena on the Bearcats' campus.

Cincinnati jumped out of the gates early using an 11-2 run to take a 13-5 lead just over six minutes into the contest. 

The Highlanders answered with a run of their own, however, and went back in front 19-17 after Kevin Osawe converted an old-fashioned three-point play witth 10:46 remaining in the first half. 

It was then Cincinnati's turn for another run, as the hosts scored 26 of the next 33 points to go ahead by 17 late in the first half. NJIT was able to cut the lead to 14, 45-31, as the teams headed to the locker room for halftime. 

In the second half the Bearcats were able to improve the margin to 22 quickly via 10-2 run over the first four minutes.

NJIT was able to get within 14 thanks to a three-pointer from Kjell de Graaf, but another Bearcats run quickly put the game out of reach as Cincinnati coasted to its fourth-straight home victory to start the season.

The Highlanders were led offensively by Osawe and Adam Hess, who each scored 13 points on Wednesday. De Graaf had his best offensive performance of the season, scoring nine points including a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line. 

NJIT assisted on 19 of 21 made fields with Souleymane Diakite and Mekhi Gray each finishing with six assists, both of which were career-highs. 

The Highlanders return to action on Saturday when they host Bucknell at the Wellness and Events Center. The 2pm matchup is the first all-time between NJIT and the Bison.