VIDEO: NJIT Highlights
VIDEO: Post Game Wrap up w/ Coach Lane
NEWARK, NJ–Visiting UAlbany edged NJIT in a low-scoring game, 38-36, in America East women's basketball action Thursday evening inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
UAlbany, the top team in the conference, was led by a game-best 19 points and 11 rebounds from Kayla Cooper improves to 21-3 overall, 10-1 in the America East while the Highlanders who were coming off its first America East Conference win at UMass Lowell last week, moves to 9-15 overall, 1-10 in the league paced by a team-best 15 points from Alejandra Zuniga.
A first quarter saw NJIT leading 7-4 after the first 10 minutes and 15-14 at the half. Both teams scored 12 points in the third quarter and UAlbany outscored NJIT by a small margin in the final quarter, 12-9, to secure the 38-36 road victory.
In addition to Zuniga's team-best 15 points, Kenna Squier combined for 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals on 4-of-9 shooting from the field. Kiana Brereton came off the bench and scored four points and pulled down four rebounds and four blocks.
After a low-scoring first quarter, 7-4, NJIT used a 6-0 run over 4:49 to take its first lead of the contest, 8-7, in the second quarter at the 8:12 mark capped by a layup from Trinity Williams. NJIT went on a 7-0 run over 4:07 to extend its lead to as many as five, 15-10, at the 2:20 mark capped by a layup by Kiana Brereton after five straight from Alejandra Zuniga, resulting in a UAlbany timeout. The Great Danes scored four consecutive points in the final minute to pull within one of the Highlanders, 15-14.
Alejandra Zuniga led all scorers after the first 20 minutes with seven points while UAlbany's Helene Haegerstrand and Sarah Karpell led the Great Danes with six points each.
UAlbany opened up the third quarter 10-6, holding a three-point lead, 24-21, at the under-five media timeout. The Highlanders went on a run of their own to regain the lead, 27-26, using a 6-0 run over the final 3:30 of the third quarter.
NJIT continued its momentum into the fourth quarter, behind a 10-2 run over the last 6:12 for a 31-27 advantage. The Great Danes scored four straight to knot the game at 31-all with 5:50 to go. A floater by Kenna Squier in the paint put NJIT up by one, 34-33 and Zuniga with a driving layup gave NJIT a 36-35 lead with forty seconds left on the clock. UAlbany responded on the opposite end with an old-fashioned three-point play by Kayla Cooper ten eight seconds later for a 38-36 advantage. The Great Danes held on for the win after a pair of missed three frows by the Highlanders down the stretch.
In addition to Cooper's double-double, Sarah Karpell added eight points.
Next Up
NJIT will have a quick turnaround when the Highlanders travel to Binghamton on Saturday, February 17. Tip-off is slated for 1pm.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date during the NJIT Women's Basketball season by following @NJITWBB on Twitter and Instagram and liking the NJIT Women's Basketball page on Facebook
