PISCATAWAY, NJ – The NJIT men's basketball team faced a setback on the road at Rutgers as the Highlanders fall to the Scarlet Knights 101-64 Tuesday night at Jersey Mike's Arena.
The Highlanders came out strong, taking a 12-8 lead at the first media timeout. Sophomore pair of David Bolden and Mathéo Coffi provided the early offense, scoring five points apiece as NJIT started the game 5-of-9 from the field. Rutgers responded, however, as the Highlanders went scoreless for more than three minutes midway through the half. The Scarlet Knights capitalized with a 9-0 run to regain the lead and build momentum.
NJIT struggled to find its rhythm offensively for the remainder of the period, enduring another scoring drought that allowed Rutgers to extend its advantage into double digits. The Highlanders closed the half shooting just 1-of-11 from the field and did not record another field goal over the final three minutes. Rutgers took a 46-26 lead into the break, with Bolden leading NJIT with 13 points.
Rutgers continued to build on its advantage coming out of halftime, extending the margin before the Highlanders found a spark offensively midway through the second half. NJIT put together a stretch of improved scoring, highlighted by Bolden finding Coffi for a catch-and-shoot three-pointer. The Highlanders also received contributions from freshman Victor Vanderstraeten and junior Quentin Duncan, who connected from beyond the arc during the run.
Bolden led NJIT with 18 points, adding three assists and a steal. Coffi finished with eight points, six rebounds and three assists, while redshirt freshman Brandon Stores Jr. also scored eight points. Vanderstraeten recorded seven points and a team-high 10 rebounds, and John Kelly added seven points off the bench.
NJIT finished the contest shooting 31.8% (21-of-66) from the field and 15.4% (4-of-26) from three-point range. Rutgers shot 51.7% (31-of-60) overall and 38.1% (8-of-21) from beyond the arc.
Next Up
NJIT stays on the road as the Highlanders take on VCU on Wednesday, the 11th in Richmond, Virginia. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Siegel Center.
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