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NEWARK, NJ–Visiting Binghamton edged NJIT, 63-58, Thursday evening in America East Conference action inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
Binghamton, who was led by Denai Bowman's double-double (16pts, 11reb), improved to 8-13 overall, 3-5 in the America East while NJIT's Alejandra Zuniga scored a game-best 17 points but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bearcats late in the fourth quarter as the Highlanders still in search of its first league win moves to 8-13 overall, 0-8 in the America East.
In addition to Zuniga, Trinity Williams pulled down a game-best 12 rebounds adding seven points while Kenna Squier chipped in eight points.
NJIT scored the first six points of the contest and took a 9-2 lead at the 5:08 mark. A quick 4-2 spurt by the Highlanders and a step through move by Kenna Squier as time expired in the first quarter, pushed NJIT ahead by seven, 17-10.
Binghamton cut the NJIT deficit to five, 20-15, to open the second quarter and slimmed the lead to three, 23-20, at the 4:46 mark behind an 8-3 run. The Bearcats netted the game at 24-all and again at 28-28 with 1:05 left to go in the first half. NJIT's Marissa Gingrich's layup with eight second left put the home team ahead by two, 30-28, heading into the half.
Three Highlanders – Kenna Squier, Lyzi Litwinko and Alejandra Zuniga each combined for six points after the first 20 minutes.
A close third quarter saw four ties with Binghamton edging NJIT, 13-12. Highlanders Zuniga had six of her 12 points in the third stanza.
NJIT took control of the fourth quarter early, using a 6-2 run for a 48-43 lead at the 7:07 mark. The visitors went on an 8-3 run and tied the game at 51-all with 4:50 on the clock.
The Bearcats took a one-point lead 56-55 behind a 5-2 spurt at the 2:17 mark and went ahead by three, 59-55, on a three-pointer by Jadyn Weltz in the corner with thirty three seconds remaining.
Binghamton extended its lead to as many as five, on a pair of free throws by Weltz and the visiting Bearcats would hold on for the 63-58 road victory.
In addition to Bowman's team-best 16 points, Weltz registered 15 points and Genevieve Coleman combined for a double-double (10pts, 10reb).
NJIT will have a bye this weekend and will return to action next week when the Highlanders visit Vermont (Feb. 8) and UMass Lowell (Feb. 10).
