NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT women's basketball team hits the road Sunday to face Marist in a first-ever meeting between the two programs as part of the America East-Metro Conference Challenge.
ABOUT THE AMERICA EAST-METRO CONFERENCE CHALLENGE
The America East and Metro Conference have partnered for the inaugural America East-Metro Conference Challenge, bringing together programs from two leagues that share a regional footprint and several key connections, including a mutual broadcast partner in ESPN, a common sponsorship rights holder in Van Wagner, and the same men's basketball officiating coordinator.
The Challenge features a series of matchups between the two conferences. Eight America East women's basketball programs will host MAAC opponents on Thursday, while Binghamton will travel to Fairfield on Friday. All nine America East programs will then hit the road Sunday to take on Metro opponents.
At the conclusion of the Challenge, the conference with the most wins will earn a trophy purchased jointly by the two leagues.
LEAGUE CONNECTIONS
The Challenge also features several connections between the participating programs. Binghamton head coach Mary Grimes played collegiately at Siena, where she won one conference championship and made three appearances in the conference championship game. Vermont head coach Maureen Magarity played at Marist, where she captured a conference title.
GAME INFORMATION
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Opponent: Marist
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Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
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Time: 5 p.m.
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Location: McCannon Arena
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Watch: ESPN+
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Live Stats: GoRedFoxes.com
ALL-TIME SERIES
First all-time meeting between the two teams.
2-0 START FOR NJIT
NJIT is off to a 2-0 start at home with wins over Rider and Merrimack. Last season, the Highlanders started out the season with three straight wins.
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.
NJIT-MERRIMACK AMERICA EAST-METRO CHALLENGE RECAP
Senior Marissa Gingrich scored a game-high 15 points to lead NJIT to a 57-35 victory over Merrimack Thursday night at the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center, as the Highlanders improved to 2-0 on the season.
NJIT's defense set the tone, forcing 30 turnovers and converting them into 24 points. The Highlanders also recorded 12 steals and held a commanding 38-20 advantage in points in the paint. NJIT limited Merrimack to just five points in the third quarter, using a 10-0 run to extend its lead and take control of the contest.
Gingrich paced the Highlanders with 15 points and four steals. Freshman Kate Donovan and Ava Locklear each recorded double-doubles, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Donovan also added three steals, while Locklear contributed two blocks. Donovan's 12 points and 10 rebounds marked career highs. Mackenzie Wright-Rawls contributed six rebounds and four assists.
RETURNING PRODUCTION
The Highlanders return four key contributors from last season's squad:
Statistics from the 2025-26 season.
SCOUTING MARIST
Marist enters Sunday's contest with a 0-2 record after opening the season against Drexel and Bryant. Most recently, the Red Foxes suffered a narrow 65-63 loss to Bryant in the opening game of the America East-Metro Conference Challenge.
Sophomore Justine Henry headlines the Marist roster after earning unanimous Preseason All-Metro First Team honors. Henry made an immediate impact during her freshman campaign, leading the Red Foxes in scoring with 388 points (12.5 ppg), rebounding with 219 boards (7.1 rpg), and steals with 46 (1.5 spg). Her impressive rookie season earned her unanimous selection to the Metro All-Rookie Team.
Junior Danielle Williamsen also returns after receiving Preseason All-Metro Third Team recognition. Last season, Williamsen averaged 9.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while logging 32.4 minutes per contest.
In the 2026 Metro Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll, Marist was picked to finish seventh among 13 teams, totaling 87 points.
NEXT UP
NJIT will continue its three-game road swing and visit Lafayette on Wednesday, November 11. Tip off is set for 6pm 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.
