NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT women's basketball team will look to get back into the win column on Wednesday, hosting Sacred Heart.
Game Information
Tip off is slated for 6pm inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ with in-game statistics available on NJITHighlanders.com.
All-Time Series
Tuesday will mark the second all-time meeting between the two teams. The first meeting was last season in Fairfield, CT. Sacred Heart 57, NJIT 48 | 12.6.23
Season Opening Victories
For the third consecutive season, NJIT has won their season opener.
11.4.24 | NJIT 80, SFU 60
11.6.23 | NJIT 73, Army West Point 57
11.7/22 | NJIT 68, Rider 60
Last Time Out
Junior Alejandra Zuniga scored a team-high 26 points as the Highlanders fell at Rutgers, 94-84, in women's basketball non-conference action inside the Jersey Mike's Arena.
In addition to Zuniga's 26 points, freshman Allison Cannon netted a personal-best 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field while classmate Olivia Kulyk scored 11 points. Enya Maguire added nine points followed by Marissa Gingrich (6) and Mackenzie Wright-Rawls (6). Kulyk pulled down six boards.
America East Rookie of the Week - Olivia Kulyk (11.11.24)
Olivia Kulyk has been selected America East Conference Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week, the league office announced on Monday.
Kulyk, the Highlanders freshman from Edinboro, PA, averaged 11.3ppg and 4.7rpg.
The 6-foot-1 guard made her first collegiate start of her young career in a Highlander uniform in NJIT's 80-60 season-opening victory at Saint Francis U. She finished with 10 points, 3-for-6 from three-point range to go along with two rebounds.
Kulyk posted a career-high 13 points in NJIT's home opener against Hofstra while pulling down six rebounds.
On Sunday against Big Ten opponent Rutgers, Kulyk chipped in 11 points and grabbed six rebounds.
This is Kulyk's first career America East Rookie of the Week honor.
News & Notes
–Two of the top three scorers return from a year ago – Alejandra Zuniga (14.7 ppg) and Trinity Williams (9.0 ppg).
–Rising junior Zuniga will enter her junior campaign with 798 career points, 133 assists, 76 three-point field goals and 68 steals. In 2022-23, she was selected as the America East Rookie of the Year, named to the America East Third Team and All-Rookie team.
–Forward Trinity Williams has played in 80 career games with 55 games starting, as she enters her senior season. She averaged 9.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg.
–Head Coach Mike Lane enters his seventh season at the helm of the Highlanders.
–The Highlanders add six newcomers – five freshmen and one graduate student.
Returning Starters
Alejandra Zuniga, G – 14.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.9 apg
Trinity Williams, F – 9.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Aria Myers, G – 4.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Madilyn Dogs, G – 3.7 ppg, 5.0rpg
Scouting Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart enters Wednesday's match with a 1-1 overall record, most recently dropping a 102-58 decision to ACC opponent Boston College. The Pioneers picked a season-opening victory over Hofstra, 63-58, on November 4.
The Pioneers, who have won consecutive Northeast Conference Tournament titles, are led by junior guard Ny'Ceara Pryor. The Baltimore, MD, native was named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award and was tabbed First Team Preseason All-MAAC after winning NEC Player of the Year and NEC tournament MVP honors in each of the last two seasons. As a sophomore, Pryor set the Pioneers' scoring record and led the NEC in points (18.7 PPG), assists (4.5 APG), steals (3.2 SPG, fourth in the country) and field goal percentage (46.4%).
This season marks the Pioneers' first as full-time members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Two players are averaging double-figures paced by Pryor (15.5ppg) followed by sophomore Emma Kirby (12.5ppg). Kirby tops the team with 7.5rpg and is shooting 80% from the field.
Next Up
The Highlanders will make a trip down south to defending ASUN Conference Champions Florida Gulf Coast on November 17. This will mark the 23rd all-time meeting against the Eagles.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date during the NJIT Women's Basketball season by following @NJITWBB on Twitter and Instagram and liking the NJIT Women's Basketball page on Facebook.
