NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT women's basketball team will open the 2023 calendar year on the road at UMass Lowell on January 1 in the Highanders first America East Conferene road contest.
Game Information
Tip off is slated for 2pm inside Costello Athletic Center on ESPN+ and in-game statistics available on GoRiverHawks.com.
All-Time Series
The all-time series is tied at 4-4. The last time the two teams met was in the quarterfinals of the 2022 America East Tournament in Newark, which saw the Highlanders pick up a 47-33 win, marking the first time the Highlanders had won a postseason game since the 2012-13 season.
America East Conference
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.
NJIT has won its #AEHoops opener in all three of its seasons as a league member. The Highlanders look to sweep their opening week of games for the second straight year. In 2021-22 NJIT started the year 4-0 in conference play.
Last Time Out
Three Highlanders scored in double-figures leading NJIT past visiting New Hampshire, 54-43, Thursday evening in the America East Conference opener for both teams inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.
Aria Myers and Alejandra Zuniga paced NJIT with 13 points apiece followed by Trinity Williams who combined for a double-double (10 points and 12 rebounds).
The 12 rebounds for Williams was one shy of her career-best 13 vs. CCSU on November 19. Myers grabbed six rebounds while Kenna Squier chipped in six points and six rebounds. Maria Fux pulled down seven rebounds for the Highlanders.
As a team, NJIT set a season-best mark of 54 rebounds, surpassing the 48 rebounds against CCSU on November 19, 2022.
Flash Back to 2021-22 Season
NJIT finished the season with a 15-15 overall record. The 15 wins are the second-highest win total since moving to Division I (2006-07 season).
The Highlanders were selected eighth in the America East preseason coaches poll and recorded a program-best nine wins to earn the No. 4 seed in the 2022 America East Conference Playoffs.
NJIT hosted the first-ever America East Conference quarterfinal game on March 5, registering the program's first America East victory and postseason win (NJIT 47, UMass Lowell 33) in over 10 seasons.
The eight road wins is also a new program-best for the Highlanders.
NJIT Leaders
Scoring: Trinity Williams - 10.1ppg
Rebounding: Lyzi Litwinko - 5.9rpg
Assists: Alejandra Zuniga (25)
Blocks:Trinity Williams (18)
FT%: Kenna Squier - 74.3%
FG%: Trinity Williams - 50.5%
Scouting UMass Lowell
UMass Lowell enters Saturday's contest with a 1-9 overall mark. The River Hawks picked up its first win of the season on December 7 against Central Connecticut State (60-47).
Saturday will mark the first America East contest of the season for the River Hawks.
The River Hawks are led by Jani Edmonds and Kaylen Banwareesingh who are averaging 9.2ppg and 9.0ppg respectively. Banwareesingh paces UMass Lowell on the boards at 7.8rpg, which ranks third in the conference.
Next Up
NJIT will return to action on Saturday when the Highlanders host Maine. Tip off is slated for 2pm on ESPN3 inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.
Stay Connected
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.
