Post Game Interview w/ ESPN+ Phyliss Mangina, Head Coach Mike Lane and Olivia Kulyk
NJIT Highlights
NEWARK, NJ — Sophomore Olivia Kulyk led all scorers with 21 points in the Highlanders 75-42 home victory over Bryant on Senior Day Saturday afternoon in America East Conference women's basketball action inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
This victory marked NJIT's (18-11, 9-7 America East) final home regular season game, tying the highest win total in program history, which was previously achieved in the 2004-05 season.
Kulyk scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, and recorded four blocks. Marissa Gingrich added 14 points and collected eight rebounds. Alejandra Zuniga posted 16 points and dished out eight assists. Ava Locklear contributed with 10 rebounds and scored eight points.
The game also celebrated Senior Day for three graduating seniors: Zuniga, Kyleigh Welsh, and Avery O'Roke.
The opening quarter began with the Bulldogs establishing a strong presence, scoring the first six points. The Highlanders struggled to find the basket early, missing several attempts, but eventually got on the board with two free throws by Kulyk at 5:20. Zuniga led the Highlanders with a layup at 4:18 and another at 1:05, bringing some momentum to the home team. Despite the Highlanders' late efforts, the Bulldogs maintained their lead with a 16-8 lead after the first 10 minutes.
In a dominant second quarter, the Highlanders turned the tide with a strong offensive display, outscoring the Bulldogs 31-9. Gingrich contributed significantly, scoring a layup at 8:53 and following up with a 3-pointer at 7:07. Kulyk added to the momentum with 3-pointers at 7:33 and 3:58. The Highlanders' defense held the Bulldogs to just four field goals, while the Highlanders shot 13-for-18 from the field, extending their lead at halftime to 14, 39-25.
NJIT maintained control in the third quarter, expanding their lead with a 23-8 scoring advantage over the Bulldogs and leading by 29 points, 62-33, heading into the final quarter.
The Highlanders secured a decisive win over the Bulldogs, finishing the fourth quarter with a strong performance. The team outscored the Bulldogs 13-9, bolstered by a fast-break layup from Cannon at 8:54 and a 3-pointer by Locklear at 6:29. Zuniga contributed with a layup at 3:45, extending the Highlanders' lead and NJIT cruised to a 75-35 home victory.
Next Up
NJIT will return to action at the 2026 America East Conference Playoffs as the No. 5 seed and will visit No. 4 UMBC on Thursday, March 5 at 6:30pm.
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