Post Game Interview w/ head coach Mike Lane
ALBANY, NY — NJIT had four players reach double-figures led by
Alejandra Zuniga's game-high 25 points as the Highlanders secured a big road win at UAlbany, 70-64, in America East Conference women's basketball action inside Broadview Center.
The victory marked NJIT's first win against UAlbany since 2008, and the first time the Highlanders have won at UAlbany. The 17 wins are the most in NJIT Division I Program History, highlighting a season of progress. Additionally, the nine road wins is a new NJIT DI record, surpassing the old mark eight during the 2021-22 season.
In addition to Zuniga's 25 points, which included four three-pointers to lead the team in scoring. Allison Cannon added 16 points and collected three steals while Olivia Kulyk chipped in 10 points, recorded three blocks and grabbed seven rebounds. Guard Marissa Gingrich contributed 10 points and three assists.
The game began with Zuniga putting NJIT (17-10, 8-6 America East) on the board with a three-pointer at 9:31. The teams exchanged leads throughout the quarter and UAlbany's Amaya Stewart's layup with just three seconds left gave UAlbany a narrow 20-17 lead after the first 10 minutes.
NJIT overtook UAlbany with a 16-10 advantage in the second quarter. Ava Locklear's fast-break three-pointer at 5:37, gave the Highlanders a one-point lead, 29-28 and NJIT maintained its edge, ending the quarter ahead by three, 33-30.
NJIT opened the third quarter with a strong start, highlighted by Zuniga's three-pointer and Cannon's layup, quickly extending its lead to 38-30. The Highlander momentum continued as Kulyk added a fastbreak three-pointer, putting NJIT up 41-30. The Great Danes responded with a 7-0 run, including a three-pointer and layup, slimming the deficit to 48-46. In the final minute, Amya Stewart scored a layup with 19 seconds left, putting the Great Danes ahead by one, 49-48.
In the fourth quarter, NJIT secured a 22-15 advantage over UAlbany to claim the victory. Zuniga played a pivotal role, connecting on a crucial three-pointer at 1:49, which extended NJIT's lead to 64-60. UAlbany attempted to close the gap with a layup with forty one second, but NJIT's Kulyk sealed the win with two free throws with fifteen seconds on the clock for a 70-64 road victory.
Next Up
NJIT will travel to face Vermont on Saturday at 4pm on ESPN+.
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