NEWARK, NJ– The NJIT men's basketball team hits the road on Wednesday as it travels to the Bronx to take on Fordham in non-conference action.

The game will be streamed on ESPN+ as Andrew Bogusch (play-by-play) and Grant Del Vecchio (analyst) have the call.

All-Time Series
Wednesday's game at Fordham is the third all-time between the Highlanders and Rams. The teams split the first two meetings, with Fordham winning big, 88-44, at home in 2007-08. NJIT won a much closer 53-50 game in 2018-19 as Zach Cooks scored 16 and Abdul Lewis chipped in with 11.

Last Time Out: FDU 71, NJIT 68 | Sat. 12/2 in Newark, NJ
The NJIT men's basketball team put together one of its best halves of the season on Saturday, scoring 46 points in the first 20 minutes against visiting FDU, but ultimately fell 71-68 to the Knights at the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center. 

The Highlanders shot 50.0% (17-of-34) in the first half, including an impressive 56.3% (9-for-16) from three-point range to race out to a 48-41 halftime lead. NJIT led by as many as 12 in the opening half, with Elijah Buchanan's 14 points leading the way.

FDU immediately got back into the game in the second half, using a 10-1 run to take a 51-49 lead with just over 16 minutes on the clock. From there, the teams went back and forth and neither squad led by more than three points and the lead changed nine times and there were six ties. The Highlanders went back in front one final time when Sebastian Robinson got a steal and Mekhi Gray flushed home a fast break dunk with 32 seconds to go to give the hosts a 68-67 advantage.  FDU answered immediately with a bucket from Jo'el Emmanuel to go back in front 69-68 with 21 seconds left. After an empty NJIT possession, the Knights' Heru Bligen sank a pair of foul shots to put the visitors in front by three with just three seconds to play. Buchanan got a look from about 30 feet at the buzzer, but it didn't go and FDU prevailed to improve to 6-4 on the season and 2-6 all-time vs. NJIT. 

After shooting well in the first half, the Highlanders cooled off and shot just 28.6% (8-for-28) from the field and 15.4% (2-for-13) in the second half.

The Highlanders were led by Buchanan for the second straight game as the graduate student posted a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 boards, while also dishing out a game-high five assists. Buchanan was joined in double figures by Adam Hess, who scored 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three-point range, and Robinson, who added 11. 

Kjell de Graaf scored eight points, all in the first half on 3-of-3 shooting (2-of-2 3FG), after missing the last four games with an injury.

BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK:
NJIT freshman Sebastian Robinson was named the America East Rookie of the Week for three staight weeks, earning the award in the second, third, and fourth weeks of the season. Robinson was first honored for his 17-point, 6-assist performance at American and he followed it up with earning the award again after averaging 18ppg and 3.5apg in a 1-1 week against Delaware St. and Wagner. Last week, Robinson averaged 9.0ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 2.5 apg in a pair of games at George Mason and vs. FDU.

Highlander Highlights
*    Wednesday's  game is the eighth 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 WEC.
*    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 three times this season. The Montclair, NJ, native and Roselle Catholic graduate was first honored after scoring 17 vs. American and again rewarded after averaging 18.0ppg and 4.5 apg in a 1-1 week for the Highlanders in late Nov. He recieved the honor again Mon. after averaging 9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, and 2.5 apg last week. 
*    NJIT started three freshmen - Robinson, Jake Goldberg and Levi Lawal - three times this season. It marked the first time three freshmen started for the Highlanders since 2013-14.
*    Grant Billmeier was one 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, who led the America East in 3FG% last season, is shooting 41.5% from deep.
*    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 will continue their road trip this weekend when they travel to Winston-Salem to take on Wake Forest. Tip-off is slated for 8pm and the game will live on the ACC Network and streamed via ESPN+.

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.