VIDEO: NJIT Highlights vs. UMass Lowell (2.4.23)
VIDEO: Post Game Interivew w/ Head Coach Mike Lane and Kenna Squier (2.4.23)
VIDEO: Post Game Wrap w/ Assistant Coach Payce Lange and Play by Play Michael Ventola
NEWARK, NJ–NJIT senior Kenna Squier registered her third double-double of her career, netting a game-best 22 points and 10 rebounds, leading the Highlanders to a 68-50 home victory over UMass Lowell Saturday afternoon in America East Conference action inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.
NJIT, winners of two in a row, improve to 6-4 in the America East, 11-11 overall while UMass Lowell moves to 1-10 in the league and 2-19 overall.
Squier, who scored only four points in the first half, poured in 18 second-half points, shooting 7-for-10 from the field, a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line and 2-for-2 from three-point range. Her 10 rebounds were a game-best as the Highlanders out-rebounded the River Hawks, 37-to-20.
In addition to Squier, Alejandra Zuniga combined for 14 points while Trinity Williams added 12 points and seven rebounds, shooting 5-for-10 from the field. Junior Grace Plummer came off the bench and chipped in eight points on 3-of-4 from the field and 2-for-3 from downtown.
UMass Lowell was led by Jaliena Sanchez's team-high 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field followed by Ivory Finley with 10 points.
The Highlanders took an early lead to open the contest, 8-4, but UMass Lowell went on an 11-2 spurt to push ahead, 15-10, after the first 10 minutes of action.
NJIT used an 8-2 run in the second quarter, sparked by a three-pointer by Grace Plummer to take a 24-21 lead, resulting in a UMass Lowell timeout at the 5:36 mark. Plummer netted six points in the run for the Highlanders. NJIT netted six straight points over a two-minute span for a 29-23 lead capped by one-of-two made from the free throw line by Zuniga at the 1:45 mark. UMass Lowell closed out the first half on a 5-0 spurt to pull within one, 29-28.
The Highlanders came out on fire to begin the third quarter, pouring in 24-points, out-scoring the River Hawks, 24-13, taking an eight point lead into the final period, 53-41. NJIT scored the final seven points of the quarter, five of which coming from Trinity Williams.
NJIT scored seven consecutive points midway through the fourth quarter to extend its lead to as many as 17, 65-48, just under the four minute mark and cruised to a 68-50 home victory.
As a team, NJIT shot 45.7% from the field (21-for-46), 50% from behind the arc (6-for-12) and 83.3% from the charity stripe (20-for-24).
NJIT will look to even the season series with UMBC on February 8 at 7pm inside the Wellness and Events Center. UMBC sank a three-pointer with :04 left in regulation to earn a 61-60 victory over visiting NJIT on January 25 in Baltimore, MD.
