NEWARK, NJ - Senior Mekhi Gray and freshman Tariq Francis combined for 39 points on Saturday afternoon, but visiting Maine was able to come out on top of the NJIT men's basketball team, defeated the Highlanders 70-64 in America East Conference action at the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center. 

Maine scored the first four points of the game and led 11-4 just over five minutes into the game.

The Highlanders scored the next seven points to tie the contest, but Maine answered with five in a row to go back in front. NJIT once again tied the game, this time at 17-17, but another Black Bears put the visitors ahead by as many as 11 late in the half before the Highlanders scored the final four points to make the score 32-25 at halftime. 

Maine scored the first three points of the second half to once again go in front by double digits, but seven-straight NJIT points made it a three-point game at the first media timeout of the second half. As they'd done all game, the Black Bears once again answered the Highlanders run and extended the margin to nine, 46-37, at the midway point of the half.

NJIT didn't go down without a fight as the Highlanders were able to get within three with just over nine minutes to play before another 5-0 run from the visitors made the margin eight. 

Adam Hess hit a wide-open Mekhi Gray for a three-pointer with 5:04 on the clock that got the lead back to three and a pair of Kjell de Graaf free throws with 3:40 left made it a two point game.

The Highlanders were able to get within two points on two more occasions, but were unable to get any closer as the Black Bears made their free throws down the stretch to hold on to the six-point win.

Gray was the game's top scorer with 21 points on 10-of-14 shooting to go along with five rebounds. Tariq Francis drained four three-pointers en route to an 18-point performance, while the freshman also grabbed six boards and dished out four assists. Kjell de Graaf scored 11 points after missing the last three games and Elijah Buchanan rounded out four Highlanders in double figures with 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

NJIT shot just 56.0% (14-for-25) from the foul line in the six-point loss.

Maine, which finished at 73.9% (17-of-23) from the charity stripe, was led by Peter Filipovity, who scored 20 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Highlanders wrap up their three-game homestand on Thursday when they host Bryant back in the WEC. Tip-off is slated for 7pm and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.