WEST POINT, NY - The NJIT men's basketball team battled back from an early double-digit deficit to take a second half lead, but ultimately fell 63-62 to host Army West Point on Wednesday evening at Christl Arena.

With just over six minutes to play in the first half, the Black Knights extended their lead a game-high 11, 28-17, before the Highlanders ended the half on a 18-7 run to tie the score at 35 as the teams entered their respective locker rooms at halftime. Miles Coleman led all scorers with 15 points in the first half, while Adam Hess chipped in with nine.

Both Coleman and Hess were held off the scoresheet in the second half, but the Highlanders were able to get offensive production from Mekhi Gray, Paul McMillan IV, and Raheim Sullivan in the second half to remain in the game. 

NJIT went ahead by four early in the second half with Sullivan carrying the scoring load. An Army West Point run put the hosts back in front by as many as eight midway through the second half. 

From there, Gray, both as a scorer and facilitator, and McMillan were leading the the Highlanders offense as they cut into the Black Knights' lead. Gray found Kevin Osawe for a bucket with just under five minutes to play that put NJIT in front 60-59, but that was the Highlanders' final points until a Mekhi Gray tip-in at the buzzer made the final score 63-62. 

The Black Knights answered Osawe's baske nearly one minute later to go in front 61-60 with 3:50 to play and both teams were held scoreless until a pair of Army West Point free throws with 10 seconds to go.

Gray stuffed the stat sheet on Wednesday, finishing with 13 points, a team-high seven rebounds, and a game-best five assists. 

NJIT turned the ball over a season-low five times in the loss, but was out-rebounded 52-34 by Army West Point. 

The Highlanders will look to bounce back on Sunday when they make the short trip to take on FDU in Hackensack.