LOWELL, MA — The NJIT women's basketball team returned to the win column Thursday night, earning a 69-60 road victory over UMass Lowell in America East Conference action at the Kennedy Family Athletic Center.

The Highlanders snapped a three-game skid and improved to 14-9 overall and 5-5 in league play, while the River Hawks fell to 6-17 overall and 0-10 in conference action.

NJIT's 14 wins are one shy of the second-highest win total in the program's Division I era (15 wins during the 2021–22 season) under head coach Mike Lane.

With the victory, NJIT completed the regular-season sweep of UMass Lowell, following a 68–57 win in Newark on Jan. 15 during Education Day.

Senior guard Alejandra Zuniga led the Highlanders with 21 points. Olivia Kulyk posted 19 points and Mackenzie Wright-Rawls added 10 points off the bench. Allison Cannon filled the stat sheet with eight points, nine assists, four rebounds, and three blocks, while Ava Locklear contributed seven points and six rebounds.

NJIT closed the first quarter on an 11-0 run over six minutes to take a 17-9 lead after 10 minutes. Zuniga and Kulyk combined for 15 of the Highlanders' 17 first-quarter points.

UMass Lowell responded in the second quarter with a 12-4 run to tie the game at 21, including a 5-0 spurt heading into the under-five media timeout. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, with NJIT carrying a 33-29 lead into halftime.

The River Hawks continued to push in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to one, 41-40, after scoring seven straight with under four minutes remaining. NJIT answered with an eight-point run to regain control, taking a 49-40 lead with 1:40 left in the quarter.

NJIT extended its advantage to double digits early in the fourth quarter behind a 12–3 run, building a 61-45 lead and holding on for the 69–60 victory.

Jaini Edmonds led all scorers for UMass Lowell with 21 points as four River Hawks finished in double figures.

Next Up
NJIT continues its road swing with a visit to Binghamton on Feb. 7 at 12 p.m. In the first meeting between the teams, the Bearcats rallied from a 17-point deficit, outscoring NJIT 24-11 in the fourth quarter to secure a 74-71 win in Newark.

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