VIDEO: NJIT Highlights
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ–Three Highlanders scored in double-figures paced by a game-best 21 points from senior Kenna Squier as NJIT picked up a 68-60 road victory at Rider in the season opener for both teams at Alumni Gymnasium.
Squier, a 2021 America East third-team selection, netted 21 points (three shy of her career-best at Maine (24) on 1.2.22. She shot 6-of-9 shooting from the field and 8-of-10 from the free throw line. In addition to Squier, junior Lyzi Litwinko combined for 17 points and Aria Myers added 10 points.
NJIT out-rebounded Rider 38-to-25 led by senior Maria Fux with a game-best eight rebounds followed by Litwinko (6), Dani Evans (5), Squier (4) and Kiana Brereton (4). The eight rebounds for Fux was one shy her career-best (9).
The Highlanders dished out 17 assists led by Squier (6) and Litwinko (5).
Rider had three double-figure scorers paced by Amanda Mobley's 17 points in addition to 14 points by Victoria Toomey and Makayla Firebaugh with 11 points.
NJIT got off to a 14-4 lead capped by consecutive buckets by Squier just under the four minute mark. Rider scored four straight points, cutting the Highlander within five, 16-11 at the 1:50 mark.
Brereton started off the second quarter with an old-fashioned three-point play and connected on a layup for a nine-point lead, 24-15 at the 8:30 mark. NJIT extended its lead to 35-21 behind a 11-2 run capped by a three-pointer by Grace Plummer at the four minute mark.
At the half, NJIT led Rider 41-26 led by Squier who paced all players with 14 points followed by Brereton (7), Litwinko (6) and Kendle Dalrymple (6).
The third quarter seesawed back-and-forth with NJIT taking an early 5-2 lead, heading into the under-five media timeout with a 50-34 lead. The visitors took its biggest lead of the game (18) on a three-pointer from co-captain Litwinko for a 56-39 advantage with thirty seconds on the clock.
NJIT continued its momentum in the fourth stanza, scoring the first three points on one-of-two from the free throw by Squier and layup by Trinity Williams for a 59-41 lead. Rider scored 12 consecutive points over the next 4:48 closing the Highlander gap to six , 59-53 with less than four remaining. Squier got the Highlanders back on the board, draining a three-pointer from the left corner to break the scoring drought and Litwinko followed with a pair of free throws at the 2:06 mark for a 64-53 score.
Rider cut the lead down to as many as eight with less than one minute to play as the Highlanders held on for its first victory of the season on the road, 68-60.
As a team, NJIT shot 7-for-18 from three-point range paced by Myers and Dalrymple with a pair of three-pointers in the win.
NJIT will open its home campaign on Friday, November 11, welcoming Lafayette inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center. Tipoff is slated for 7pm on ESPN+.
Stay up to date during the NJIT Women's Basketball season by following @NJITWBB on Twitter and Instagram and liking the NJIT Women's Basketball page on Facebook.
