NJIT Highlights at Bryant
SMITHFIELD, RI–NJIT had three players score in double-figures, led by freshman Alejandra Zuniga's team-best 17 points but it wasn't enough as Bryant held off a late fourth quarter run by the Highlanders to secure a 65-62 home victory on Senior Night in women's basketball America East Wednesday evening action inside Chace Athletic Center.
Bryant improved to 9-19 on the season, 3-12 in the league while the Highlanders, who sit in fifth place moved to 13-14 overall, 8-7 in the America East in its final regular season road game.
The Bulldogs were led by Nicole Gallagher's double-double team-high 16 points and 13 rebounds followed by Alana Perkins (15), Kemari Reynolds (12) and Mariona Planes Fortuny (10).
The Highlanders were paced by a game-best 17 points from Zuniga, who finished 6-for-11 from the field and 4-of-7 from three-point range while Grace Plummer came off the bench and scored a career-high 15 points on 5-of-7 from three-point range and Trinity Williams finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Trailing by as many as 18 in the first quarter, Zuniga connected on her third three-pointer of the game to start the fourth quarter which sparked an 8-2 spurt for the visitors, cutting the Bulldog lead to four, 49-45, with 6:21 on the clock, resulting in a Bulldog timeout. The Bulldogs scored the next eight points for a 12-point lead, 57-45 with 4:30 to play.
A 17-7 spurt for NJIT over the next four minutes, cut the Bulldogs lead to two, 64-62, on her fifth three-pointer of the game from Plummer. NJIT had an opportunity out of the timeout with four seconds left on the clock but was unable to get the ball in-bounds and Bryant knocked down one-of-two from the free throw line, holding on to a 65-62 home win.
Bryant came out on fire on Senior Night, beginning the first quarter on a 12-2 run. NJIT scored four straight points to cut the Bulldog lead to six, capped by a pair of free throws by Aria Myers, 12-6, at the 5:06 mark. Kenna Squier completed a three-point play to cut the Bulldog lead to four, 13-9, at the 2:13 mark but Bryant scored the final four points of the quarter for an eight-point advantage, 17-9.
The Bulldogs continued its momentum into the second quarter, scoring the first nine points to extend its lead to double-figures, 18, 27-9 at the six-minute mark. Zuniga got the Highlanders on the board, knocking down a three-pointer from the right wing at the 5:18 mark. NJIT used an 8-2 spurt capped by a three-pointer by Squier to slim the Bulldog lead to nine, 29-20, with less than 1:30 to play.
At the half, Bryant's Gallagher led all players with 12 points and six rebounds followed by Marta Neira Martinez who added eight points. NJIT's point leader through 20 minutes was Squier with six points and four rebounds.
Bryant pushed its lead up to 13 to start the third quarter, 35-22, but the Highlanders answered with a 12-4 run to close the Bulldog gap to within single digits, 40-34, after a layup by Williams at the 3:30 mark. Bryant pushed its lead back up to double-figures to go head 10, 47-37, heading into the fourth quarter.
NJIT will close out the regular season on Saturday at 2pm when the Highlanders host UAlbany inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center. In pregame ceremonies, which will begin at 1:50pm, NJIT will honor its six graduating seniors – Kenna Squier, Kendle Dalrymple, Grace Plummer, Maria Fux, Kennedy Cash and Dani Evans.
