| Game 2 |
NJIT (1-0, 0-0 America East) at Fordham (1-0, 0-0 A10) |
| Date | Time |
Friday, November 7 | 5pm |
| Team Rosters |
NJIT | Fordham |
| Location | Arena |
Bronx, NY | Rose Hill Gymnasium |
| All-Time Series |
Fordham leads 1-0 |
| Live Stats |
In-game statistics (free) |
| Live Video |
ESPN+ |
| Game Notes |
NJIT Notes | Fordham Notes |
NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT women's basketball team will continue its two game season-opening road swing on Friday when the Highlanders visit Fordham.
Game Information
Tip off is slated for 5pm inside Rose Hill Gymnasium on ESPN+ with in-game statistics available on FordhamSports.com.
Quick Hits
--In the last four seasons, NJIT has won the season opener and started 1-0.
--The last time NJIT started 2-0 was the 2023-24 season with wins over Army West Point and Merrimack.
--During the 2023-24 season, NJIT started out the year 4-1 with its lone coming against No. 10 ranked Notre Dame.
All-Time Series
Friday will mark the second all-time series between NJIT and Fordham. The Rams were victorious in the first meeting back in 2008.
Last Time Out
Senior Alejandra Zuniga led all scorers with 24 points to lead NJIT to a 64-51 road victory over Sacred Heart in the 2025-26 season opener for both teams Monday evening inside the William H. Pitt Center.
Zuniga, an America East Preseason All-Conference selection, combined for 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field, 2-of-5 from three-point range and 4-of-6 from the free throw line to go along with seven assists, which ties her personal-best mark (7 at LIU; 12.30.24).
Highlanders News & Notes
–Senior Alejandra Zuniga was selected to the America East Preseason All-Conference team. Last season, Zuniga was picked to the America East first team, as a sophomore she was named to the second team and during her freshman campaign, Zuniga earned America East Rookie of the Year, America East Third team, America East All-Rookie team honors. She is coming off a season which saw the Highlanders guard ranked third in the league in scoring (16.0ppg), third in assists (3.4), fifth in free throw percentage (65.0%) and fifth in field goal percentage (44.0%).
–The 2025 America East Rookie of the Year, Olivia Kulyk is back for her second season in a Highlander uniform after a strong freshman campaign which saw her be named a 10-time America East Rookie of the Week selection, which ties the America East Conference record, has scored in double-figures in 19 contests, including a career-best 21 points and 12 rebounds against Binghamton on January 2, 2025. She ranked second in the league in three-point field goals per game (1.9) and 13th in the conference in scoring (9.7).
–NJIT returns 11 from a season ago after a fifth-place finish in the America East standings with an 11-19 overall mark, 8-8 in the league. The 11 wins were the fourth straight double-digit win for the Highlanders in the last four years.
–Head Coach Mike Lane enters his eighth season at the helm of the Highlanders.
Returning Starters
Alejandra Zuniga, G – 16.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Olivia Kulyk, G – 9.7ppg, 4.6rpg, .38.8 % 3PT
Marissa Gingrich, G – 6.1ppg, 3.6rpg
Madilyn Dogs, G – 4.5 ppg, 4.1rpg
Making a Name in the Record Books
Zuniga, from Madrid, Spain, is a three-time America East Conference All-Conference selection, and has scored 1,302 career points which ranks her third in the Division I era at NJIT and fifth all-time. The all-time leading scorer at NJIT is Jessica Gerald (2007-11) with 1,504 career points.
New Kids on the Block
NJIT added four newcomers to the 2025-26 roster with three freshmen and one transfer. Mia Gestosani hails from Somerset, NJ, Addison Shen from Concord, MA, Lauren Lee from New Port Richey, FL and Ava Locklear a transfer from Tiffin, IA.
America East Conference
NJIT will begin its sixth season in the America East and will play a schedule of 16 conference games against the other eight schools. The Highlanders became the 10th full member of the America East on July 1, 2020 and were selected to finish eighth in the 2024-25 preseason coaches poll.
The Highlanders, which made its fifth consecutive appearance in the 2025 America East postseason tournament, concluded its season with a 11-19 overall mark and 8-18 in the America East.
Fans will once again be able to watch every #AEHoops home game on The AE on ESPN with all games airing on ESPN+ or ESPN3 domestically and AmericaEast.TV internationally.
Scouting Fordham
Fordham enters Friday's contest with a 1-0 record after a home victory over Adelphi, 60-51. Alexis Black and Ugne Sirtautaite each combined for 14 points in the win.
The Rams return five players from a season ago, signed five players from the transfer portal and added three true freshmen.
Under third-year head coach Bridgette Mitchell, last season the Rams finished with a 15-15 overall record, 9-9 in the Atlantic 10.
Fordham was selected to finish 11th out of 14 team in the Preseason Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Preseason Poll.
Next Up
NJIT will host its home opener on Tuesday, November 11 at 6pm when the Highlanders welcome Wagner to the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
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.
