NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT men's basketball team was defeated 70-55 in America East Conference action on Thursday evening at the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.

Tariq Francis opened up the game with a three-pointer to put the Highlanders ahead early and had 12 of NJIT's first 14 points as the hosts jumped out to an early 14-11 lead. 

Bryant scored the next 10 points, however, and never looked back as it led for the final 32 minutes of the game. 

The Bulldogs scored the final five points of the first half to go ahead 31-21 at halftime, despite 14 first half points from Francis, who has been named the America East Rookie of the Week five times this season.

Francis opened the second half with a three-pointer to cut the margin to seven and a pair of free throws from Mekhi Gray cut it to six with just over seven minutes to play, but that was as close as the Highlanders were able to get.

Bryant opened up its lead to as many as 18 in the second half before ultimately winning the game by the 15-point margin. 

Francis finished with 17 points to lead all scorers. He was joined in double figures by Kjell de Graaf, who scored 12. 

Gray narrowly missed his second-career double-double, scoring nine points, all after halftime, and grabbing 10 rebounds. The senior also added a game-best five assists in 28 minutes of action. 

Levi Lawal, another NJIT freshman, pulled down a game-best 15 rebounds as the Highlanders were edged 51-49 on the boards. 

Connor Withers led a balanced Bryant offensive attack with 13 points. Five Bulldogs scored in double figures, including Earl Timberlake, who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. 

The Highlanders will look to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to Baltimore to take on UMBC. Tip-off is slated for 7pm.