Game 12	NJIT Highlanders (2-9, 0-0 America East) at Delaware State Hornets (4-6, 0-0 MEAC)
Date & Time	Wednesday Dec. 11 | 7 p.m.
Location	Memorial Hall | Dover, Del.
Live Video	ESPN+
Game Notes	NJIT Notes | DSU Notes
Follow	X/Twitter | Instagram | Live Stats

NEWARK, NJ – Coming off a home victory on Saturday, the NJIT men's basketball team heads back out on the road for a Wednesday night clash at Delaware State. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

Last Time Out
Tariq Francis and Sebastian Robinson combined for 42 points as NJIT returned to the Wellness and Events Center with a victory over Navy, 69-64, on Saturday afternoon. Francis led all scorers with 23 points, 17 of which came in the second half. This marks the fifth straight game in which Francis has scored at least 23 points. Robinson also had a strong second half, scoring 11 of his 19 points after halftime.

The game was played close, with neither side holding a double-digit lead at any point. Francis and Robinson were the stars of the show in the second half, scoring a combined 28 of the Highlanders' 36 points after halftime. This sparked a 7-0 run for NJIT with all seven points coming from Robinson, including a tough driving layup through contact with 11:06 to go which gave NJIT the lead for good.

What Sophomore Slump?
Tariq Francis put on a show during his first season as a Highlander in 2023-24, and has continued that level of play during his sophomore campaign. The Pittsburgh native leads America East and ranks 25th in the nation with his 20.0 points per game and is 9th in total points scored with 200. Francis has been on a tear as of late, averaging 23.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.3 ast, 42.5% FG over his last four games.

NJIT vs. Delaware State: All-Time Series
The Highlanders and Hornets will square off for the sixth time, with NJIT holding a 3-2 edge in the series. The sides last met on Nov. 20, 2023, with NJIT earning an 81-72 win for Grant Billmeier's first victory as NJIT head coach.

Highlander Highlights

• NJIT is coming off its second victory of the season, defeating Navy 69-64 at home on Saturday afternoon.
• Tariq Francis led the Highlanders with 23 points, overcoming a slow start to put up 17 points in the second half.
• It was the fifth straight game Francis had scored at least 23 points, and the sixth time in his last seven outings surpassing the 20-point plateau.
• Sebastian Robinson was also key with his 19 points on 9-for-16 shooting, scoring 11 points after halftime.
• The Highlanders wrapped up its seven-game stretch away from home on Wednesday night, putting forth a solid effort at Prudential Center in a 67-56 defeat to Seton Hall.      
• Wednesday's game was a homecoming for head coach Grant Billmeier, who spent a total of 11 seasons on staff at Seton Hall including seven years as an assistant under Kevin Willard from 2015-22.
• Billmeier also spent his collegiate playing days with the Pirates, suiting up for The Hall in 106 games from 2003-07.
• The Highlanders secured their first win of the season back on Nov. 27, defeating Morehead State, 78-69, in the final game of the Cleveland State Thanksgiving Throwback.
• Sebastian Robinson erupted in the second half against Morehead State, scoring 19 of his 21 points after halftime. All four of Robinson's made three-pointers came in the second half.
• NJIT ranks 32nd in the nation in free throw percentage (77.3%) and also ranks just outside the top-50 in the nation in blocks per game (4.7, 52nd)
• Francis is averaging 23.4 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.2 ast, 40.4% FG over his last five games.
• Francis and Robinson have scored 20 points in the same game on two occasions this season, making NJIT one of two America East teams to have multiple games with two 20+ point scorers so far this season (Bryant).
• NJIT boasts a young roster, with 12 of its 14 members (86%) being either freshmen or sophomores, ranking the Highlanders fourth in the nation in that category.
• Only three players on NJIT's active roster entered this season with previous Division I experience (Francis, Lawal, Robinson).

Next Up
The Highlanders return home for a matchup against Wagner at the WEC at 4 p.m. The game will feature a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of NJIT's upset victory over No. 17 Michigan, with members of the team being honored at halftime.

Stay up to date on all things NJIT Men's Basketball throughout the season by following @NJITHoops on X/Twitter and Instagram.