VIDEO: NJIT Highlights at Wagner
STATEN ISLAND, NY–Wagner exploded for 29 third-quarter points paced by a game-best 21 points from Zhaneia Thybulle to lead Wagner past visiting NJIT, 68-54, to conclude the non-conference women's basketball slate for the Highlanders inside the Spiro Sports Center Saturday afternoon.
Wagner improves to an even 5-5 overall on the season while the Highlanders move to 5-7 on the season.
Thybulle finished 9-for-17 from the field and five rebounds while the Seahawks Julia Fabozzi notched a double-double 12 points and 12 rebounds off the bench and Drayah Heyward combined for 10 points and six rebounds.
NJIT's lone double-figure scorer on the day was freshman Alejandra Zuniga with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field followed by Reese Vaughan (9), Kenna Squier (8) and Trinity Williams (7).
Squier led the Highlanders on the boards with eight rebounds and three assists.
Wagner jumped out to a quick 16-4 lead, including a 10-0 run over the last 3:25. NJIT's Kendle Dalrymple connected on a three-pointer in the corner with the shot clock winding down which sparked a 5-0 spurt for the visiting team, cutting the deficit to seven, 16-9, at the 1:15 mark. Wagner scored the final five points of the quarter to take a 21-9 advantage.
NJIT scored the first four points of the second period, including the first career points scored by Avery O'Roke from the free throw line at the 8:27 mark as the Highlanders outscored the Seahawks 16-4 in the quarter. Aria Myers knocked down a jumper from the free throw line with thirty-seven seconds to go in the period to tie the game at 25-all.
Kenna Squier led NJIT with six points and five rebounds followed by Kendle Darymple with five points in 10 minutes of action off the bench. Zhaneia Thybulle and Drayah Heyward paced Wagner with six points each.
The third quarter went back and forth in the opening five minutes with the Highlanders trailing by four, 32-28, NJIT scored consecutive points in 15 seconds after buckets by Myers and Vaughan knotting the game at 32-all at the 7:32 mark. Wagner used a 14-3 run over the next 5:57 to extend its lead to 12, 46-33 with 2:03 on the clock. Vaughan got the Highlanders back on the board, connecting on a three-pointer in front of the Wagner bench, slimming the Seahawk lead to 11, 46-35 with 1:46 left to play. The Seahawks exploded for 29 third-quarter points, heading into the fourth quarter with a 54-38 lead.
NJIT inched its way back to close the gap in the fourth quarter, 61-49, behind a 7-2 run by the Highlanders, capped by a three-pointer by Alejandra Zuniga at the three-minute mark. Wagner went on to secure the home victory with a 68-54 win.
NJIT will begin its third season in the America East and will play a schedule of 16 conference games against the other eight schools. The Highlanders became the 10th full member of the America East on July 1, 2020 and were selected to finish fourth in the 2022-23 preseason coaches poll, receiving 42 votes.
The America East Conference slate will begin on December 29, hosting New Hampshire inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.
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