TROY, NY - The NJIT men's basketball team was defeated 82-68 by host UAlbany in America East Conference action on Saturday evening at the McDonough Sports Complex on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.

Saturday's game was back-and-forth early, as the lead changed 15 times in a first half that also saw seven ties.

Kevin Osawe's jumper with 4:00 to play in the first half put the Highlanders ahead 32-31, but that was their last lead of the evening as UAlbany ended the first half on a 13-0 run and led 44-32 at halftime.

The Great Danes took the momentum into the second half and went ahead by a game-high 20 points with just over 15 minutes on the clock.

NJIT was able to cut into the UAlbany lead, getting the deficit down to 10 late in the half, before the hosts earned the victory by the 14-point margin to salvage a series split this season with the Highlanders and improve to 11-1 all-time against NJIT. The Highlanders victory over the Great Danes in Newark earlier this season was their first.

Kjell de Graaf tied his career-high with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting to pace four Highlanders in double figures. 

de Graaf was joined in double figures by Paul McMillan IV (11 points), Adam Hess (10 points) and Raheim Sullivan (10 points).

Sarju Patel scored 25 points to lead four Great Danes with 10+ points. Also scoring in double figures for UAlbany were Gerald Drumgoole, Jr. (19 points), Jonathan Beagle (17 points), and Da'Kquan Davis (12 points).

Beagle, the favorite for America East Rookie of the Year, also pulled down 13 rebounds for a double-double.

The Highlanders wrap up their regular season on Tuesday at New Hampshire. Tip-off is slated for 7pm in Durham, NH, and the Highlanders can clinch a spot in the America East Playoffs with a win or a UAlbany loss at Vermont.