Video: NJIT Highlights
NEWARK, NJ - Kevin Osawe posted a double-double in his second-straight home game, both victories, as the NJIT men's basketball team rolled past visiting Saint Elizabeth, 79-51, on Tuesday evening in the Wellness and Events Center.
Just nine days after his 16-point, 13-rebound performance in a win vs. Niagara that earned him America East Player of the Week honors, Osawe once again starred, this time with career-highs of 21 points and 17 rebounds to send the Highlanders into conference play on a winning note. Osawe's 21 points came on 10-of-14 shooting from the field and nine of his 17 rebounds came on the offensive glass as NJIT out-rebounded its opponent 59-31.
The Highlanders never trailed in Tuesday's win and led for the final 36 minutes after
Mekhi Gray put the squad ahead 6-4 just before the first media timeout of the game.
While Osawe was the star of the evening, Gray set the tone early with three first half dunks to help NJIT take a 38-24 lead into the locker room at halftime. Gray, who scored all 11 of his points before halftime, and the Highlanders shot 60.0% (15-of-25) in the first half to build a comfortable lead at the break.
In the second half, the Highlanders rode Osawe and led by as many 30 before eventually winning by the 28-point margin.
Osawe and Gray weren't the only NJIT players to contribute to the offense as five different players scored in double figures, including
Justin Anderson who came off the bench to chip in with a season-high 12 points. Also scoring 10+ in the victory
Adam Hess (11 points) and
Kjell de Graaf (10 points).
While starting point guard
Raheim Sullivan may not have lit up the scoring column, he played a big role in setting his teammates up with seven assists, the most for an NJIT player this season. Sullivan also grabbed six boards, as did veteran big man
Souleymane Diakite.
For the game, the Highlanders shot 52.3%, their best shooting performance of the season.
Eleven different players got into the game for NJIT and nine of them found the scoring column, including sophomore
Eyal Nankin who buried his only shot of the game, a three-pointer, for his first points of the season.
With the win, NJIT improved to 32-0 all-time against non-Division I opponents since making the leap to D1 in 2005-06.
The Highlanders will look to carry the momentum into conference play on Saturday when they host UMass Lowell in both teams America East Conference opener. Tip-off is slated for 2pm back in the Wellness and Events Center.
