NEWARK, NJ–NJIT will go on the road and visit Merrimack on Saturday in non-conference women's basketball action.
Game Information
The game will be on Saturday at 2pm on ESPN+ inside Hammel Court with in-game statistics available on MerrimackAthletics.com.
All-Time Series
Saturday will mark the second all-time meeting between the two schools. Last season, NJIT defeated Merrimack in the 2023 season opener, 48-45, in overtime.
Last Time Out
Junior Alejandra Zuniga scored a game-best 25 points but it wasn't enough as visiting Army West Point edged NJIT in overtime, 69-68, Wednesday evening in women's basketball non-conference action inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
In addition to Zuniga's game-best 25 points, senior Trinity Williams combined for her first double-double of the season, tallying 14 points and 14 rebounds (one-shy her personal-best mark). Williams finished 5-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free throw line to go along with a game-best four blocks. Freshmen Olivia Kulyk and Allison Cannon chipped in seven and six points respectively coming off the bench for the Highlanders.
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
America East Rookie of the Week - Allison Cannon (11.18.24)
In a 1-1 week with the Highlanders, Allison Cannon averaged 10.0ppg, 2.0rpg and 2.0apg.
Cannon and the Highlanders earned its first win at home inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center on November 13 with a 73-52 victory over two-time defending Northeast Conference Champions Sacred Heart.
The 5-foot-9 guard came off the bench and matched her career-best 12 (also vs. Rutgers, Nov. 10), shooting 4-for-5 from the field while grabbing three rebounds in 22 minutes for NJIT.
On Sunday against defending ASUN Conference Champions FGCU, the Holmdel, NJ, native tallied eight points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field while dishing out two assists in 19 minutes of action off the bench.
In three out of four games this season, Cannon has scored eight or more points, including two games, netting 12 points.
America East Rookie of the Week - Olivia Kulyk (11.11.24)
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 and against Big Ten opponent Rutgers, Kulyk chipped in 11 points and grabbed six
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.
–NJIT competed in the ASUN Conference for five seasons (first season 2015-16) before the Highlanders joined the America East in July 2020.
Chasing 1,000 Career Points - Alejandra Zuniga
The rising junior Zuniga enters Saturday's contest with 912 career points, 88 away from scoring her 1,000 career point. As a freshman, the 2023 America East Rookie of the Year combined for 358 points and last year she followed up with 440 career points. Six games into the 2024-25 season, Zuniga has registered 114 points.
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
2025 Women's Basketball Commits
Addison Shen | Concord, MA | Guard
Laura Lee | New Port Richey, FL | Forward
Mia Gestosani | Somerset, NJ | Point Guard
Scouting Merrimack
Merrimack enters this weekend's contest with a 3-2 overall record, including winners of three in a row. Merrimack's streak began with a win over New Hampshire (59-49), Bucknell (62-59) and most recently Yale (50-45).
The Warriors are led by two players who are averaging double-digits – Thaila Shepard (13.4ppg) and Paloma Garcia (11.4ppg). Madison Roman tops the Warrior with 7.0rpg while ranking third on the team in points (9.6ppg).
Merrimack will begin their first season as a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Next Up
NJIT will close out the month of November, welcoming Lafayette on November 26 at 7pm on ESPN+ before beraking for Thanksgiving.
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.
