NEWARK, NJ– The NJIT men's basketball team hits the road for the second-straight game on Wednesday when it travels to Virginia to take on George Mason. Tip-off is slated for 7pm on ESPN+ at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax.

All-Time Series
Wednesday's game at George Mason is the first all-time between the Highlanders and Patriots. George Mason is one of five first-time opponents on the NJIT roster. The Highlanders matchup against Miami (FL) was the first in that series, as will be future games against Wake Forest, Medger Evers, and Morgan State. NJIT and George Mason are conference rivals in men's volleyball as both teams play in the EIVA.

Last Time Out: Wagner 64, NJIT 51 | Sat. 11/25 in Staten Island, NY
The NJIT men's basketball team suffered a 64-51 setback in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Spiro Sports Center. 

NJIT falls to 1-4 on the season, while the host Seahawks improved to 3-2.

Wagner led by as many as 11 in the first half, but NJIT outscored the Seahwawks 12-3 over the final six minutes and trailed by just two, 31-29, at hafltime. 

The Seahawks scored the first eight points of the second half to go back in front by double digits and led by as many as 14 in the second half.

NJIT cut the defcit to seven, but Wagner answered with a putback and then took advantage of a double technical called on the Highlanders, making all four free throws to go ahead by 13 with just more the six minutes on the clock. 

NJIT freshmen Tariq Francis and Sebastian Robinson continued their strong rookie seasons as Francis came off the bench to lead the Highlanders with 17 points, while Robinson, the reigning America East Rookie of the Week scored 11. 

Daniel Schreier, a graduate student who arrived in Newark last summer after a five-year career at Manhattan, put together one of the best games of his collegiate career, scoring seven points and grabbing seven rebounds in 22 minutes of action. Another graduate student, Adam Hess, led the Highlanders with eight boards as they out-rebounded Wagner 37-36.

Highlander Highlights
*    Wednesday's  game is the sixth of the 2023-24 season -- which marks NJIT's 18th participating in Division I, fourth as a member of the America East and seventh in the Wellness & Events Center.
*    NJIT's roster makeup is rather unique with nine freshmen, one junior, one senior, and five post-graduate players, including four in their sixth collegiate season
*    The Highlanders return just five members from their 2022-23 squad, led by Mekhi Gray and Adam Hess, who each started most of last season. 
*    Kjell de Graaf is the most tenured Highlander as he is now in his sixth season with the program. Mekhi Gray is in his fourth season as a Highlander.
*    Sebastian Robinson was named America East Rookie of the Week after scoring 17 points and dishing out six assists last Thursday at American. He followed it up with a 25-point, five-assist effort in Monday's win vs. Delaware St. 
*    NJIT started three freshmen - Robinson, Jake Goldberg and Levi Lawal - the last two games. It marked the first time three freshmen started for the Highlanders since the 2013-14 season.
*    Grant Billmeier and Tony Skinn were two of 25 NCAA Division I Head Coaches to make their debuts this season. The Highlanders' first win vs. DSU was actually Billmerier's second -career Head Coaching victory as he was credited for a win at Seton Hall in 2019-20.
*    Adam Hess is as well-traveled as any player in the country. The sixth-year player has played at five different schools in all four time zones across the continental United States. 
*    Two Highlanders - Elijah Buchanan and Daniel Schreier - followed top assistant coach RaShawn Stores to Newark from Manhattan College where Stores made a pair of NCAA Tournaments as a player and served as Interim Head Coach last season.

Next Up
The Highlanders return home on Saturday for a 3:30 contest against FDU in the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center. 

Stay Connected
Stay up to date during the NJIT Men's Basketball season by following @NJITHoops on Twitter and Instagram and liking the NJIT Men's Basketball Basketball page on Facebook.