Women’s Basketball Looks for Fourth Straight Win; Welcomes UMass Lowell Saturday

1/10/2025 10:00:00 AM

NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT women's basketball team will look for its fourth straight win of the season on Saturday, welcoming UMass Lowell.

Game Information
Saturday's America East game will tip off at 1pm inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center and will be streamed live on ESPN+. In-game statistics will be available on NJITHighlanders.com.

All-Time Series
NJIT leads the all-time series, 7-5.

The last time the two teams met, NJIT defeated UMass Lowell, 68-56, on February 10, 2024.

Last Time Out
Senior Trinity Williams scored a game-high 21 points leading three double-figure scorers en route to the Highlanders 83-55 road victory over UMBC Thursday evening in America East Conference action inside the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena.

NJIT, which was ahead by one at the half, 35-34, exploded for 48 second half points outscoring the Retrievers 48-21 in the second half.

Perfect in the America East
NJIT remains perfect in the America East at 2-0.

The Highlanders defeated Binghamton (58-49) on January 2 and on the road at UMBC (83-55) on January 9.

Winners of Three in a Row
NJIT has won three in a row and will be looking for its fourth straight victory on Saturday.

The Highlanders streak began on December 30 at LIU, continued on January 2 with an opening win over America East and first road win in the league on January 9 at UMBC.

The last time NJIT won four straight dates back to 2021-22 when the Highlanders won a stretch of five straight.

4X America East Rookie of the Week - Olivia Kulyk
Freshman Olivia Kulyk has been selected both America East Conference Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week, the league office announced on Monday.

Kulyk picks up her first Player of the Week honor and tabs her fourth Rookie of the Week selection.

In one game this week for the Highlanders, Kulyk combined for her first career double-double, netting a career-best 21 points and 12 rebounds in NJIT's 58-49 win over Binghamton.

The 21 points and 12 rebounds are both career-highs for the guard from Edinboro, PA and has posted double-figures in nine out of 11 games this season.

In the America East, Kulyk ranks in the top nine in scoring (11.3), tops the league in three-point field goal percentage (40.6) and three-point field goals made (2.4).

1,000 Career Points and Counting
Rising junior Alejandra Zuniga became the 13th Highlander to score 1,000 career points after a tough driving right-handed layup with 2:38 left in the game against Monmouth on December 9, 2024. Zuniga stands at 1,054 points, which ranks 11th all-time in program history.

Highlander Highlights

The Highlanders stay undefeated in America East Conference action with a pair of early wins.
NJIT has won three in a row (at LIU, 12/30/24), (vs. Binghamton, 1/2/25) and on the road at UMBC (1/9/25). The last time NJIT won four straight dates back to 2021-22 when the Highlanders won a stretch of five straight.
The Highlanders closed out 2024 with a win over LIU, 89-60, led by five players reaching double-figures.
NJIT concluded its non-conference slate 3-10, dropping six games by five or less points this season, including a one-point overtime loss Hostra (L, 69-74), Army West Point (L, 68-69 (OT)), Lafayette (L, 69-71), Saint Peter's (L, 60-65), Coppin State (L, 61-63) and Wagner (W, 62-60).
The Highlanders secured its first win of the season at Saint Francis U, an 80-60 road victory. The 80 points are the most scored by the Highlanders this season.
Alejandra Zuniga is averaging 17.1ppg and 2.8rpg while shooting 45.7% from the field. She has scored 20+ points or more in six games this season, including a season-best 26 at Rutgers. Zuniga ranks second in the conference in scoring and third in assists.
Zuniga became the 13th Highlander to score 1,000 career points after a tough driving right-handed layup with 2:38 left in the game against Monmouth on December 9, 2024. Zuniga stands with 1,054 points which ranks 11th in program history.
Freshman Olivia Kulyk has been named America East Rookie of the Week four times and Player of the Week once this season. She is averaging 11.4ppg and 4.8rpg. In the America East, Kulyk ranks in the top nine in scoring (11.4), tops the league in three-point field goal percentage (41.4) and three-point field goals made (2.4).
After missing the month of December due to injury, the Highlanders welcomed back senior forward Trinity Williams against Binghamton. Williams finished the game with eight points, four rebounds on 4-of-5 from the field in 23 minutes. Williams followed up with a 21-point, six rebound and two blocks performance at UMBC in NJIT's first road victory in league action.
As a team, NJIT ranks first in the America East in scoring (69.1 ppg), blocked shots (4.13 bpg) and second in three-point field goals made (8.5 pg).
Head Coach Mike Lane is in his seventh season at the helm of the Highlanders. NJIT went 12-18 overall, 4-12 in the America East and advanced to the America East Postseason Tournament for the fourth straight time.

Scouting UMass Lowell
UMass Lowell enters Saturday's contest with a 2-13 overall record, 0-3 in the America East.

The River Hawks three losses have come against Maine, UAlbany and most recently Vermont.

Sophomore Abbey Lindsey is the lone River Hawk, averaging double-digits (10.4ppg) while Maddie Rice tops the team on the boards (6.6) and total blocks (10).

Next Up
NJIT will take its first long league trip, traveling to Maine (Jan. 16; 6pm) and New Hampshire (Jan. 18; 6pm).

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.

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Women’s Basketball Looks for Fourth Straight Win; Welcomes UMass Lowell Saturday