NEWARK, NJ– The NJIT men's basketball opens up its America East Conference schedule on Saturday when it hosts UMass Lowell.

Game Information
Tip-off is slated for 2pm inside the Wellness and Events Center on the campus of NJIT. The game will be streamed on ESPN3, with Matt Provence and Rob Kennedy on the call. 

Last Time Out: NJIT 79, Saint Elizabeth 51 | Tues. 12/27 in 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.

NJIT vs...UMass Lowell
NJIT and UMass Lowell will meet for the 14th time on Saturday, which is more matchups than any other America East opponent for the Highlanders. Last season, NJIT was victorious in both matchups, a 77-73 win on the road and a 59-55 victory at home. The Highlanders are 3-1 vs. the Riverhawks in America East action. 

NJIT vs. the America East
The Highlanders are 27-47 all-time vs. America East foes. NJIT is 12-22 in conference play as a member of the America East. 

Kevin Osawe - AE Player of the Week
Kevin Osawe was honored for his 16-point, 13-rebound performance in Sunday's victory over Niagara. Osawe is the first Highlander to recieve a weekly award this season.

Highlander Highlights
*    Saturday's game is the 14th of the 2022-23 season -- which marks NJIT's 17th participating in Division I, third as a member of the America East and sixth in the Wellness & Events Center (WEC).
*    The Highlanders are looking for their second-straight America East opening victory, last year NJIT defeated Maine 69-66 in Newark in the conference opener.
*    Kevin Osawe came off the bench to record career-highs of 21 points and 17 rebounds on Tuesday as the Highlanders defeated Saint Elizabeth 79-51 to improve to 32-0 against non-Division I opponents. Osawe also played a big role in NJIT's other home win, a 62-53 victory over Niagara where he was honored as America East Player of the Week for his 16-point, 13-rebounds performance. 
*    The 85 points at Sacred Heart were the most by an NJIT team in regulation since it scored 90 vs. Wagner on Nov. 16, 2019. The Highlanders scored 90 last season in a 2OT W at Lafayette.
*    Souleymane Diakite played in his 100th career game at Army West Point. He and and Kjell de Graaf are both in their fifth seasons with the Highlanders. Da'mir Faison is the next most-tenured Highlander as he is in his fourth season with the program. Miles Coleman played in his 50th career game in an NJIT uniform against Saint Elizabeth. 
*    Six of NJIT's 14 players have completed their undergraduate degrees and are working towards their Master's. Souleymane Diakite and Kjell de Graaf graduated from NJIT last May, while Justin Anderson (Bloomsburg), Adam Hess (E. New Mexico St.), Kevin Osawe (Arkansas-Little Rock), and Raheim Sullivan (Marist) come to NJIT from other institutions.
*    Five NJIT players are averaging 7+ ppg, with Coleman (14.0), Osawe (9.8), and Hess (9.0) leading the way. Osawe ranks third in the America East at 7.8 rpg.

Up Next
The Highlanders will get the week off before returning to action on Sunday when they travel to Maine for a 2pm America East Conference matchup.

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