NEWARK, NJ– The NJIT men's basketball travels north for its first road America East game on Thrusday when it takes on UMass Lowell at 6:30pm. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

All-Time Series
NJIT is 7-8 all-time against the Great Danes, with the teams splitting the six matchups since the Highlnders joined the America East prior to the 2020-21 season. Last season, UML won both games, coming from behind late to win 67-64 in Newark and earning a dominating 90-61 victory in Lowell. 

Last Time Out: UAlbany 79, NJIT 73 | Sat. 1/6 in Newark, NJ
The NJIT men's basketball team dropped its America East Conference opener to visiting UAlbany on Saturday, falling 79-73 at the Joel and Diane Wellness and Events Center. 

Tariq Francis, who has already been named America East Rookie of the Week twice this season, established a new career-high with 22 points, while classmate Levi Lawal also set a new career-best with 16 points of his own. The 38 points from Francis and Lawal weren't enough, however, as UAlbany took advantage of a 41-36 margin on the glass to overcome a one-point halftime deficit. 

NJIT led by as many as six several times in the first half, but a late run from the Great Danes put the visitors back in front late in the frame, before a late layup from Francis gave the Highlanders a 35-34 halftime advantage. 

UAlbany went back in front with an early basket in the second half which was immediately answered by a Mekhi Gray three-pointer to give the Highlanders a 38-36 lead. Adam Hess broke a 38-38 tie with a pull-up jump shot to give NJIT another lead, but that was the Highlanders final lead of the afternoon as Sebastian Thomas hit a three-pointer to put UAlbany in front 41-40 to spark a 7-0 run.

The Great Danes led by as many as 10 in the second half, but the Highlanders didn't go down without a fight, cutting the deficit to one possession, 76-73, on Francis' final basket of the game with 18 seconds left. UAlbany hit three free throws down the stretch to make the final margin six points. 

NJIT out-shot UAlbany 44.4%-41.3%, but the Great Danes were able to get more out of the three-ball as they shot 33.3% from deep, while the Highlanders struggled from long range, making just 21.1% of their three-pointers.

In addition to his 22 points, Francis also dished out a game-high six assists and grabbed three rebounds. Lawal grabbed eight boards for the Highlanders and also swatted away a career-high four shots. Gray joined Francis and Lawal in double figures with 14 points for his fourth-straight double-digit scoring output. Jonathan Beagle, the 2022-23 America East Rookie of the Year, scored 19 points and grabbed 16 boards for his sixth double-double of the season. Sebastian Thomas was the Great Danes' leading scorer on Saturday as the junior transfer scored 22 points.

ROOKIE(S) OF THE WEEK:
NJIT freshmen Sebastian Robinson and Tariq Francis are leading the America East Rookie of the Year race as the duo has combined for six of the nine ROW's announced this season. Robinson earned the honors in weeks two, three and four, while Francis took home three, in weeks six and seven, and nine. 

Highlander Highlights
*    Thursday's game is the 14th 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 are coming off three-straight home games (2-1) and will now play two on the road before returning home for three more.
*    Kjell de Graaf is the most tenured Highlander as he is now in his sixth season with the program and played in his 100th game on Dec. 9 at Wake Forest.
*     NJIT's 14 blocks vs. Morgan St. were its most in 17+ years as a D1 Program. The total is tied for the second most this season by a team in  D1 vs. D1 game. Kjell de Graaf led NJIT with a career-high seven blocks, the most by an America East player since UML's Max Brooks had 10 on Jan. 12, 2022. Mekhi Gray had a career-high five blocks, as well. 
*     The Highlanders turned the ball over just three times on 12/16 at Niagara. That number is its lowest mark in 17+ seasons competing in Division I.  
*    Adam Hess leads the conference in 3FG% (42.0). Hess led the Conference in 3FG% last season, too (43.4%).
*    Elijah Buchanan leads the Highlanders and ranks sixth in the AE in rpg (6.5).
*    Sebastian Robinson (three) and Tariq Francis (three) have combined for six of the nine America East Rookie of the Week Awards this season. Francis leads all AE rookies in scoring (10.8 ppg), while Robinson ranks second (8.8 ppg)
*    Kjell de Graaf (12 pts, 11 rbs vs. Medgar Evers and Mekhi Gray (13 pts, 10 rbs vs. Morgan St.) each recorded their first-career double-doubles over the last two games. 

Next Up
The Highlanders continue their road swing on Saturday when they travel to Burlington to take on league favorite Vermont. Tip-off against the Catamounts is slated for 2pm in Patrick Gymnasium. 

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.