NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT women's basketball team will make their first NCAA Division I Postseason Appearance on Thursday night in the First Round of the WNIT.
Game Information
The Highlanders, who received an at-large bid in the tournament's 48-team field, will take on Merrimack in the First Round on March 19 at 7 p.m. in North Andover, Massachusetts.
All-Time Series
Thursday will mark the third all-time meeting between the two schools. The all-time record is tied at 1-1.
11/23/24 | Merrimack 87, NJIT 76
11/10/23 | NJIT 48, Merrimack 45
2025-26 Rewind
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The appearance marks the first time in the Division I that NJIT will compete in the WNIT. This is the second time in program history NJIT will be competing in a postseason tournament (2004-05; ECAC Tournament).
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NJIT concluded the season with an 18–12 overall record, matching the program record for wins and marking the most victories during the Highlanders' Division I era
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With a win on Thursday, NJIT will set the program record for overall wins (19) and will mark the first postseason victory in program history.
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The Highlanders also finished with nine conference wins, tying the program mark previously set during the 2021–22 season. In addition, NJIT recorded nine non-conference victories, the most in the program's Division I era.
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The nine America East Conference victories matches the highest win total (2021-22)
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NJIT was the fifth-seed in the America East Conference Postseason Tournament and dropped a one-point decision on the road in the quarterfinals against fourth-seeded UMBC, 66-65.
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Alejandra Zuniga, NJIT's all-time leading scorer with 1,704 career points, is a four-time America East Conference selection, selected as one of 107 players to be named a finalist for the 2026 Lilly Women's College All-Star Game. This season, Zuniga averaged 17.8ppg, 4.0asp, 3.9rpg
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Olivia Kulyk earned America East Conference second team honors, leading the conference in three-point field goals (72) and three-point field goals made (2.5).
#AEHoops in the Postseason
This year four teams were selected to compete in postseason action. In addition to Vermont's appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Binghamton, UMBC and NJIT were all selected to the WNIT. The four teams in postseason play matches the most in conference history. In 2016, UAlbany reached the NCAA Tournament, while Maine played in the WNIT with UMBC and Stony Brook competing in the WBI. The Great Danes reached the NCAA Second Round as a No. 12 Seed while UMBC beat Youngstown State to reach the WBI Second Round.
America East WNIT Success
The America East has had at least two teams in the WNIT three times in the past five seasons. Two years ago, Vermont went on a run to the WNIT Fab 4 after falling to Maine in the conference championship. The Catamounts beat Niagara (69-53) and Colgate (65-55) at home before taking down Purdue on the road (67-59). Vermont lost 57-54 to eventual champion Saint Louis in the Fab Four. UAlbany also reached the WNIT, falling to Colgate.
Conference Performance
The America East is ranked as the 14th best conference in the nation this year by NET, highlighted by a 56-48 record in non-conference action. The America East is also 1 of 8 conferences to have 75% of its programs own a NET of 200 or better (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, American, Big East, Sun Belt, America East).
WNIT Information
Now in its 28th year, the Postseason WNIT continues to highlight the depth and competitive excellence across women's college basketball. The tournament, powered by Triple Crown Sports, features a 48-team field comprising nine automatic qualifiers and 39 at-large selections from conferences across the country.
WNIT Schedule
Round 1 - March 19-21, 2026
Round 2 - March 22-24, 2026
Super 16 - March 25-27, 2026
Great 8 - March 28-30, 2026
Fab 4 - March 31 - April 1, 2026
Championship - Saturday, April 4, 2026
Scouting Merrimack
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Merrimack (19-12, 15-5 in MAAC) finished third in the MAAC during the regular season before reaching the semifinals of the conference tournament.
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The Warriors suffered a loss to Fairfield, a nationally-ranked program which went on to win the MAAC Tournament and thus earn a berth in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament.
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It marks the first time the women's basketball program has been invited to the Division I WNIT.
Stay Connected
Follow NJIT Women's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@NJITWBB) and like NJIT Women's Basketball on Facebook for updates throughout the season.
