NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT women's basketball team returns home Thursday, November 5, to host Merrimack in an America East-Metro Challenge match up inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
GAME INFORMATION
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Opponent: Merrimack
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Date: Thursday, November 5
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Time: 6 p.m.
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Location: Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center
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Watch: ESPN+
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Live Stats: NJITHighlanders.com
ALL-TIME SERIES
NJIT holds a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series against Merrimack. The teams last met in the opening round of the 2026 WNIT, when the Highlanders made program history with a 68-65 victory over the Warriors to secure their first postseason win.
Recent Meetings
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3/19/26 | NJIT 68, Merrimack 65
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11/23/24 | Merrimack 87, NJIT 76
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11/10/23 | NJIT 48, Merrimack 45
In the historic postseason victory, senior guard Alejandra Zuniga led all scorers with 20 points. Ava Locklear recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Allison Cannon contributed 11 points on 5-for-5 shooting, along with six rebounds and four assists.
2025-26 SEASON IN REVIEW
The Highlanders put together one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2025-26, finishing with a program-record 19 victories and surpassing the previous mark of 18 wins set during the 2004-05 campaign.
NJIT also made its first postseason appearance of the Division I era and second overall, advancing to the second round of the WNIT after earning the program's first-ever postseason victory with its win at Merrimack.
Additional milestones highlighted the historic season, including:
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A Division I-era best nine non-conference victories.
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A program-record 10 road wins.
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Nine America East victories, matching the program record set during the 2021-22 season.
CANNON RECOGNIZED AMONG NATION'S TOP RETURNING FINISHERS
Junior forward Allison Cannon earned recognition among the nation's top returning interior finishers in Division I women's basketball, ranking No. 5 among 50 players.
Cannon converted 75.9 percent of her field-goal attempts during the 2025-26 season, establishing herself as one of the most efficient returning finishers in the country.
2026-27 SEASON OPENER
NJIT opened the 2026-27 campaign in impressive fashion Monday night, earning a 50-45 victory over visiting Rider.
Senior Marissa Gingrich poured in a game-high 21 points to lead three Highlanders in double figures. Mia Gestosani added a career-high 14 points and five rebounds, while Cannon chipped in 10 points.
The Highlanders delivered a decisive defensive effort in the fourth quarter, holding Rider scoreless over nine consecutive possessions from 4:42 to :28. NJIT turned a 43-40 advantage into a 48-40 lead during the stretch.
NJIT also controlled the glass, 48-38, recorded nine blocked shots and held a 12-4 advantage in second-chance points.
RETURNING PRODUCTION
The Highlanders return four key contributors from last season's squad:
Statistics from the 2025-26 season.
SCOUTING MERRIMACK
Merrimack enters the 2026-27 season under first-year head coach Missy Traversi, with 12 newcomers joining the Warriors' roster.
The Warriors were picked ninth in the preseason coaches' poll. Last season, Merrimack won 19 games and advanced to the MAAC Semifinals before falling to NJIT in the opening round of the WNIT.
Thursday's matchup marks the first meeting between the programs since the Highlanders' historic postseason victory last March.
NEXT UP
NJIT continues America East-Metro Challenge play with its first road trip of the season, traveling to face Marist on Sunday, November 8. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. on ESPN+.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay up to date throughout the NJIT women's basketball season by following @NJITWBB on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, and by liking the NJIT Women's Basketball page on Facebook
