LORETTO, PA–Rising junior Alejandra Zuniga led all scorers with 20 points as the Highlanders picked up its first win of the season, 80-60, at Saint Francis U in the 2024-25 season opener for both teams Monday evening at DeGol Arena.
NJIT (1-0) held a five-point advantage after the first 10 minutes, 18-13 and exploded for 31 second quarter points, heading into the locker room with a 19-point lead 49-30. The Highlanders continued its momentum into the third quarter, outscoring the Red Flash, 22-13, taking a 28-point lead, 71-43.
Zuniga finished the night shooting 6-for-11 from the field, 7-for-10 from the free throw line while dishing out three assists. Senior Trinity Williams filled up the box score Monday night, netting 13 points, a game-best eight rebounds, shot 5-for-8 from the field, tallied three assists, combined for three blocks and two steals.
Freshman Olivia Kulyk, making her first collegiate start of her young career, chipped in 10 points while graduate student Enya Magure finished with nine points on 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
NJIT got off to a hot start, opening the contest on a 9-0 run over the first three minutes, led by six points by Enya Maguire. Saint Francis U scored the next six points to pull within three, 9-6, at the 6:44 mark and slimmed the Highlanders lead down to as many as one, 13-12, with less than four minutes to go. NJIT closed out the quarter on a 5-1 run and took a five-point lead after the first 10 minutes, 18-13.
Saint Francis U cut the lead to within one to start the second quarter, 19-18, and later used a 9-0 run to push its lead to as many as 13, 39-26, resulting in a Red Flash timeout. Olivia O'Meally sparked a 10-2 spurt to head into the locker room ahead by 19, 49-30.
Zuniga led all scorers after the first 20 minutes, scoring a game-high 15 points followed by Trinity Williams with 11 points and six rebounds.
NJIT outscored the Red Flash 22-13 in the third quarter and took its biggest lead of the game, 71-43.
Saint Francis U Marissa Shelton and Harris Robinson each chipped in eight points.
Next Up
NJIT will open the home campaign on November 8, hosting Hofstra. Tip-off is slated for 6pm on ESPN+.
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