Game 11	NJIT Highlanders (1-9, 0-0 America East) vs. Navy Midshipmen (3-6, 0-0 Patriot League)
Date & Time	Saturday, Dec. 7 | 2 p.m.
Location	Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center | Newark, N.J.
Live Video	ESPN+ (Matt Provence and Barry "Slice" Rohrssen
Game Notes	NJIT Notes | Navy Notes
Follow	X/Twitter | Instagram | Live Stats

NEWARK, NJ – After seven games away from home, the NJIT men's basketball team returns to the friendly confines of the Wellness and Events Center on Saturday afternoon to host Navy. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. with live coverage available on ESPN+.

Last Time Out
Tariq Francis put another offensive show with a game-high 23 points, but the NJIT men's basketball team was edged by Seton Hall, 67-56, on Wednesday night at Prudential Center. Francis made five 3-pointers on the night, which matches his career-high, and has now scored at least 23 points in four straight games. Levi Lawal put in a solid effort off the bench with eight points, seven rebounds and a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor in 30 minutes.

The Highlanders found themselves in an early hole, down 16-2 just four minutes into the game. NJIT fought to trim the deficit down to just four at halftime, and were within one possession on multiple occasions in the second half. Francis nailed a three-pointer with 10:29 left to bring the Highlanders back within a pair, 47-45. However, Seton Hall was able to fend off NJIT to claim the home victory.

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. Navy: All-Time Series
The Highlanders and Midshipmen will square off for just the third time in history. Navy holds a 2-0 edge in the series, with the teams meeting in each of NJIT's first two seasons at the Division I level. Navy took the first meeting in overtime in Newark before a commanding victory in the most recent matchup, which came back on Jan. 2, 2008.

Outside of conferences NJIT has been a member of, the Highlanders have played more games against Patriot League schools than any other league. NJIT has matched up against a Patriot League school in all but one season since becoming a D1 member in 2006, with the lone exception being the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. NJIT is 16-33 all-time against Patriot League schools, most recently falling at Bucknell on Nov. 21.

Highlander Highlights

• The Highlanders wrapped up its stretch away from home on Wednesday night, putting forth a solid effort at Prudential Center in a 67-56 defeat to Seton Hall.
• Tariq Francis continued his hot stretch, scoring a game-high 23 points and connecting on five 3-pointers.
• It was Francis' fourth consectuive game scoring at least 23 points.
• 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 last Wednesday, 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.
• Tonight marks the final game of the Highlanders' seven-game road stretch, which is the longest in NJIT's Division I program history.
• NJIT ranks 28th in the nation in free throw percentage (77.9%).
• Francis is averaging 3.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.3 ast, 42.5% FG over his last four games.
• Francis and Robinson have scored 20 points in the same game on two occasions this season, making NJIT the only team in the America East to have two games with two 20+ point scorers so far this season.
• NJIT boasts a young roster, with 13 of its 15 members (87%) being either freshmen or sophomores, ranking the Highlanders T-2nd 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 head back out on the road on Wednesday night with a trip to Dover, Del. To face Delaware State.

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