NEWARK, NJ – Coming off its first America East victory over the weekend, the NJIT men's basketball team embarks on a two-game road trip this weekend, first stopping in Vermont to face the Catamounts on Thursday night at 7 p.m.
Last Time Out
Tariq Francis posted a stellar all-around performance, tallying 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals as NJIT earned its first America East victory of the season with a 64-59 win over New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon.
Sebastian Robinson followed close behind with 17 points, 13 of which came in the second half.
Ari Fulton posted another strong game with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Half number two was a battle, with the two teams separated by a possession for much of the early stages of it. UNH fought back, retaking the lead by two with 5:05 left in the game. Francis would level the score the next possession with a mid-range jumper, sparking a 6-0 run which would give NJIT a two score lead. After the Wildcats once again tied the game with under a minute left, a reach-in foul at midcourt would put Robinson at the line. The sophomore sunk a pair of free throws to give NJIT the lead the rest of the way.
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 13.5 points, 3.5 assists (up from 1.9), 3.1 rebounds (up from 1.9) and shooting 38 percent (up from 31 percent). The sophomore's play as of late has been a large contributing factor, as Robinson has averaged 16.7 pts, 5.0 ast and 3.7 reb over his last seven games.
NJIT vs. Vermont: All-Time Series
Vermont holds a 12-2 advantage in the all-time series against NJIT, but the Highlanders have played the three-time reigning America East champs tough in several recent meetings. NJIT picked off the Catamounts in their last meeting on Feb. 8, 2024, with
Tariq Francis punctuating his AE Rookie of the Year case with a 31-point outburst. The year prior, the two sides clashed in an overtime classic in Newark, with the Catamounts rallying late for the win. NJIT has won just once in Burlington, coming back on Dec. 28, 2020 as a San Antonio Brinson buzzer beater delivered the Highlanders a thrilling 81-80 double overtime triumph.
Highlander Highlights
- NJIT held on late for its first America East win of the season on Saturday, 64-59, over New Hampshire inside the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
- Tariq Francis starred in the win for the Highlanders, scoring a game-high 19 points to go along with eight assists, five rebounds and three steals.
- This was Francis' second game back after a four-game absence. He made his return on Thursday morning against Maine, scoring 11 points in 36 minutes.
- The Highlanders fought back late against UMass Lowell last Saturday, trimming a 20-point second half deficit down to just three with just over two minutes left in a 70-62 defeat.
- Sebastian Robinson was integral in NJIT's late rally, scoring 17 of his 21 points after in the second half.
- Robinson is averaging 16.7 pts, 5.0 ast and 3.7 reb over his last seven games.
- Robinson stepped up his offensive production during Francis' absence, averaging 17.8 pts and 6.8 ast during Francis' four-game absence.
- Ari Fulton was named America East Rookie of the Week last 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 7.9 pts and 7.5 reb.
- 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.
- 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 13.0 pts, 7.6 reb and shooting 55.3% from the field over his last nine 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 (.295) and is fourth in blocks (4.4).
- 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.
Next Up
The Highlanders conclude their road trip on Saturday afternoon against UAlbany at 4 p.m.
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