Video: NJIT Highlights | Postgame Interview w/ Brian Kennedy, Mekhi Gray and Adam Hess | Postgame Interview w/ Art Luptowski

NEWARK, NJ - Mekhi Gray broke a 65-65 tie making a tough layup with 3.7 seconds on the clock to lift the NJIT men's basketball team to an America East Conference victory on Wednesday afternoon at the Wellness and Events Center.

UMBC was unable to inbound the ball cleanly and Adam Hess drained a pair of foul shots to help the Highlanders improve to 3-4 in America East action and cool off a Retrievers' team came in winners of five of their last six games. 

"We are coming off a tough road trip, but I'm proud of our guys for bouncing back," said seventh-year Head Coach Brian Kennedy following the win. "We came out tonight and really defended, especially in the first half holding a really good offenisve team to just 26 points."

Wednesday's game featured eight lead changes and 10 ties as UMBC scored the first 12 points of the second half to tie the game after the Highlanders led 38-26 at halftime. 

Neither team led by more than four points over the final 18:04 of play and when the Highlanders broke a 62-62 tie on a three-pointer from Hess' third three-pointer of the night, UMBC immediately answered, tying things back up at 65-65 thanks to a three-pointer from Jacob Boonyasith.

Both teams had empty possessions following Boonyasith's triple, setting up Gray's heroic shot in the final seconds. Boonyasith missed a tough two-pointer with 14 seconds left, which was rebounded by NJIT's Souleymane Diakite and the Highlanders called timeout once getting the ball across half court with seven seconds to play.

Gray, a lefty, took the ball from the top of the key, went left, and was able to get a shot off over Boonyasith that hit the glass and went in to put the Highlanders in front for good.

Once UMBC turned the ball over on the ensuing inbound NJIT was able to inbound the ball to Hess, its top foul shooter, who calmly drained both free throws before Raheim Sullivan stole the final inbounds pass to clinch the game for good.

HIGHLANDERS WIN!!!!

Mekhi Gray with the tough layup with 3.7 seconds left and Adam Hess closes it out at the free throw line!!!! pic.twitter.com/RmlFDKjB62

— NJIT Men's Basketball (@NJITHoops) January 26, 2023

Gray finished with a season-high 18 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting while also pulling down seven rebounds.

"Mekhi was sick yesterday, but he sure didn't show it today," added Kennedy. 

Hess, who entered the game as the America East's top three-point shooter at nearly 44%, was 3-of-7 from deep en route to a 13-point performance. As a team, the Highlanders were 9-of-19 (47.4%) from deep, while UMBC shot just 5-of-21 (23.8%).

Justin Anderson provided a spark off the bench, scoring seven second-half points and grabbing five rebounds to help the Highlanders hang in during a back-and-forth second half. 
 

2H 6:46 | NJIT 54, UMBC 53

Justin Anderson providing a spark off the bench with a quick seven points to put the Highlanders back in front! pic.twitter.com/EtX2wtIRud

— NJIT Men's Basketball (@NJITHoops) January 26, 2023

NJIT also dominated the glass on Wednesday, out-rebounding the Retrievers 42-33. The Highlanders were led on the boards by Diakite, who grabbed nine and Kevin Osawe, who pulled down eight to go along with seven points. 

The Highlanders will have the week off before returning to action next Wednesday when they host New Hampshire. Tip-off is slated for 7pm back in the Wellness and Events Center.