BALTIMORE, MD - Raheim Sullivan scored 17 points and Kevin Osawe posted his seventh double-double of the season, but it wasn't enough as host UMBC came from behind to defeat NJIT 72-63 in America East Conference action on Wednesday evening at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. 

The Highlanders scored the first six points of the game and then answered a UMBC three-pointer to go ahead 19-3 just over five minutes into the game. NJIT hit seven of its first nine shots in the game to help run out to the early 16-point advantage.

UMBC responded with a run of its own, scoring 16 of the next 19 points to get within three, 22-19, less than five minutes later. 

The see-saw battle continued from there as Mekhi Gray scored five-straight points for NJIT and Raheim Sullivan added a three-pointer to put the visitors back up by eight with just over seven minutes on the clock in the first half. 

The margin stayed between seven and 12 for the duration of the first half as NJIT took an 11-point lead, 39-28, a halftime. 

UMBC opened the second half with another run and clawed to within three less than 2:30 into the period. The Highlanders were increase the margin to six, but another run from the Retrievers tied the game at 54 with 8:05 to play and the hosts took their first lead of the game forty seconds later on a three-pointer from Matteo Picarelli to go ahead 57-54.

Adam Hess answered the Picarelli triple with a floater to get NJIT within one,but that was as close as the Highlanders got before UMBC extended its lead down the stretch to as many as 12 before winning by the nine-point margin.

Sullivan was joined in double figures by three teammates, including Osawe who scored 12 points to go along with a game-high 14 rebounds. Hess and Kjell de Graaf scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.

De Graaf also grabbed seven rebounds, while Sulivan pulled down five as the Highlanders out-rebounded the Retrievers 38-33.

After shooting 55.6% from the field in the first half, NJIT shot 30% after halftime, while UMBC reversed the script, shooting 37.9% in the first 20 minutes and 53.8% over the final 20 minutes.

The Highlanders will look to get back into the win column on Saturday when they host Maine at the Wellness and Events Center in Newark. Tip-off is slated for 4pm.