VESTAL, NY - The NJIT men's basketball team suffered a 75-66 setback to host Binghamton in America East Conference action on Thursday evening at the Events Center.

Binghamton scored the first 10 points of the game before a three-pointer from Tariq Francis put the Highlanders on the board and made the score 10-3.

NJIT got within 14-12 with just over 12 minutes to play and tied the game 15-15 on another three-pointer from Francis. 

The margin stayed within four until a free throw from Kjell de Graaf put the Highlanders in front 26-25 for the first time in the game. NJIT increased its lead to three twice in final minutes of the half, but the Bearcats scored the final four points of the frame to take a 38-37 lead at halftime.

Francis opened the second half with a jumper to put NJIT back in front  but that would be the Highlanders' last lead of the evening as the Bearcats answered with four-straight points and led for the final 19:18 of the game.

Binghamton led by as many as 17 late in the second half before NJIT cut the deficit to nine at the final buzzer.

Francis led all scorers with 21 points thanks in part to making four three-pointers. He was joined in double figures by Mekhi Gray, who scored 12 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Justin Anderson scored eight points in just five minutes of action off the bench, while Adam Hess, Daniel Schreier, and de Graaf all chipped in with eight. 

Nehehmiah Benson led four Bearcats in double figures with 16 points. Armon Harried narrowly missed a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing nine rebounds as Binghamton won the battle on the boards 40-31. 

NJIT will get the week off and return to action next Thursday when it hosts Vermont at the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center in Newark.