NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT men's basketball looks to snap its three-game losing streak to start America East conference play when it welcomes New Hampshire to the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center on Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. with live coverage available on ESPN+.
Last Time Out
The NJIT men's basketball team could not hold onto its halftime lead in a 57-44 defeat to Maine on Thursday morning inside the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
Sebastian Robinson led the Highlanders with 15 points on the afternoon, while
Tariq Francis returned from a four-game absence to score 11 points in 36 minutes.
Tim Moore Jr. notched a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Sebas at the Controls
Year two of
Sebastian Robinson's career at NJIT has seen the Montclair native take a huge leap forward. After averaging just 5.6 points during his freshman season, Robinson has more than doubled his scoring output and has seen improvements in most statistical categories. He enters play averaging 13.3 points, 3.6 assists (up from 1.9), 3.2 rebounds (up from 1.9) and shooting 38 percent (up from 31 percent). The sophpmore's play as of late has been a large contributing factor, as Robinson has averaged 16.7 pts, 5.7 ast and 4.0 reb over his last six games.
NJIT vs. New Hampshire: All-Time Series
The Wildcats hold a 5-4 edge over the Highlanders in their series history, with UNH winning each of the last five matchups between the programs. New Hampshire won both matchups last season by single digit margins. NJIT will look for its first win over UNH since a 60-55 win back on Feb. 9, 2022.
Highlander Highlights
- NJIT could not hold onto its halftime lead in a 57-44 loss to Maine on Thursday.
- Tariq Francis made his return after a four-game absence on Thursday, scoring 11 points in 36 minutes.
- The Highlanders fought back late against UMass Lowell on Saturday, trimming a 20-point second half deficit down to just three with just over two minutes left in a 70-62 defeat.
- Robinson is averaging 16.7 pts, 5.7 ast and 4.0 reb over his last six games.
- Ari Fulton was named America East Rookie of the Week after averaging a double-double last week with 10.5 points and 11.0 rebounds.
- Since entering the starting lineup back on Dec. 1, Fulton is averaging 7.6 pts and 7.4 reb.
- The Highlanders couldn't hold on to an early 11-point lead in last Thursday's conference opening loss to UMBC, 87-64.
- Quentin Duncan starred for the Highlanders in his first college game on Jan. 4 against Medgar Evers, scoring 26 points and nailing eight 3-pointers en route to being named America East Rookie of the Week.
- Duncan's eight made three-pointers are the most made by an America East player in a game so far this season.
- Sebastian Robinson set NJIT's D-1 era program record for assists in a single game, dishing out 15 dimes in the win over Medgar Evers.
- Tim Moore Jr. has begun to hit his stride as of late, averaging 13.6 pts, 7.5 reb and shooting 54.2% from the field over his last eight games.
- Tariq Francis leads the America East in scoring average on the season at 18.1 ppg.
- NJIT leads the America East in three-point defense (.301) and is fourth in blocks (4.4).
- New Hampshire, who was picked to finish last in America East, enters play winners of its last two games. The Wildcats defeated UMBC on the road on Thursday night.
- NJIT boasts a young roster, with 12 of its 14 members (86%) being either freshmen or sophomores, ranking the Highlanders fourth 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 wrap up the homestand on Saturday afternoon when they host New Hampshire at 3 p.m.
Stay up to date on all things NJIT Men's Basketball throughout the season by following @NJITHoops on X/Twitter and Instagram.
