VIDEO: NJIT Highlights

NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT men's basketball team was defeated 79-63 by visiting Bucknell on Saturday afternoon at the Wellness and Events Center. 

Bucknell shot 52.5% from the field, including 43.5% from behind the arc en route to its sixth victory of the young season, while holding the Highlanders to 32.8% shooting overall and 23.1% from deep. 

NJIT scored the first four points of the game, all from Kevin Osawe, but the Bison answered with eight straight and led for the final 35:15 of the contest. 

Bucknell led 35-20 at halftime and opened up its lead to as many as 19 in the second half before winning by the 16-point margin. 

Kjell de Graaf started for the first time this season and paced the Highlanders with 11 points, while Miles Coleman, Mekhi Gray, and Adam Hess each chipped in with eight. Hess started for the second-straight game and is averaging 10.3 ppg over his last four. 

Coleman also pulled down a game-high-tying eight rebounds to go along with a team-best three assists.

Xander Rice, a New Jersey native, led four Bison in double figures with 14 points on an efficient 6-for-8 shooting performance.

NJIT will return to action on Wednesday when it heads north to take on its second-consecutive Patriot League Opponent, Army West Point. Tip-off is slated for 7pm at Christl Arena.