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VIDEO: NJIT Highlights vs. Merrimack
VIDEO: Post Game Interiview with head coach Mike Lane
VIDEO: Post Game Report with Assistant Coach Payce Lange
NEWARK, NJ–Junior Trinity Williams registered a double-double, combining for 12 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Highlanders in a 48-45 overtime home victory over visiting Merrimack Friday evening inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
With the win, NJIT moves to 2-0 for the first time since the 2016-17 season and records its first win over Merrimack.
"I am super proud of the girls that we gutted it out," sixth-year head coach Mike Lane said post game. "That's an older team gutting out a win, finding a shot when we were struggling. Incredibly proud of the girls for winning at home."
In addition to Williams' game-best 12 points, sophomore Alejandra Zuniga notched 11 points. Freshman Audrey Kormann added six points and rebounds while Lilly Anderson grabbed six rebounds off the bench for NJIT.
NJIT held a 50-to-43 advantage on the boards led by Williams' game-high 11 rebounds followed by Madilyn Dogs (9) and Lilly Anderson (6).
The five blocks for Williams was one-shy of her career mark (6 at Binghamton; 1.11.13) while the three blocks from Kormann is a personal-best.
Visiting Merrimack jumped out to an early 6-3 lead at the 7:30 mark and the Highlanders took its first lead of the contest, 7-6, after back-to-back layups from Madilyn Dogs and Trinity Williams. The Warriors used a quick 5-2 run to close out the first quarter with an 11-9 advantage.
Both teams traded points in the second quarter with the Highlanders taking a three-point lead, 18-15, on a three-pointer by Avery O'Roke for an 18-15 lead with 2:10 on the clock. Merrimack scored the final two points of the quarter as NJIT held a one-point lead, 20-19, heading into the locker room.
NJIT's Trinity Williams led all scorers with six points, five rebounds and four blocks through the first 20 minutes of action.
The Highlanders took its largest lead of the game, going up by five points, 30-25, after a layup by Williams to start the third quarter. The Warriors scored the next six points to regain the lead it held in the first half on a fast break layup by Paloma Garcia.
The fourth quarter went back and forth with each team holding leads but it would come down to the final possession. NJIT's Kenna Squier knocked down a three-pointer from the corner as the shot clock winding down with 1:01 left to play in the game to knot the game at 44-all. The Highlanders ran down the clock for the final possession and put up a contested jump shot, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, a total of five points were scored, with NJIT out-scoring Merrimack, 4-1. Zuniga connected on a two-pointer in the paint to open the overtime, giving NJIT a 46-44 lead and pushed its lead to 48-45 after a pair of free throws from Lyzi Litwinko at the 2:07 mark. The Warriors put up a three-point attempt which did not fall and NJIT held on for the win at home, registering the Highlanders second straight win and first at home inside Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
Next Up
The four-game homestead inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center will continue with ACC opponent #10 Notre Dame on Sunday, November 12 followed by Rider on November 15 and Wagner on November 18.
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