NJIT Wins in Nail Biter At Home Over Jacksonville

The NJIT Highlanders (14-5, 2-2 ASUN) defeated the Jacksonville Dolphins (8-12, 1-4 ASUN) on Saturday at the Wellness and Events Center, 77-74.

Senior Abdul Lewis broke his own program rebounds record with 21 boards in the game, which is tied for fifth in the nation this season for rebounds in a single game.

Sophomore Zach Cooks led the team in scoring with 23 points.

The three-point win was the fifth consecutive one-possession game between NJIT and Jacksonville.

The Highlanders are 5-0 in one-possession games this season.

NJIT's defense was aggressive from the start, holding Jacksonville to 14% shooting in the opening six minutes. The Dolphins would finish the half shooting just 29% from the field.

Cooks led the scoring in the opening 20 minutes of the game, putting up 17 points on 6-9 shots from the field.

Lewis recorded a first-half double-double, totaling 11 points and 10 rebounds, helping NJIT outscore Jacksonville in the paint, 18-6, in the first half.

The home side ended the half on a 21-5 run in the final 7:30 as the Highlanders took a 16-point lead into the break, 37-21.

NJIT's lead extended as high as 20 points halfway through the second half, but it would shrink quickly.

Jacksonville charged back into the game, applying full-court pressure and going on a 20-4 run to cut the NJIT lead to three points with 1:50 remaining.

Senior Diandre Wilson came alive late in the game, scoring 12 of his 15 points in the second half.

Lewis broke his own NJIT single-game rebounds record with his 20th board with one minute remaining the game and finished with 19 points.

Wilson buried a three-pointer with 43 seconds left to make it a six-point game, only to be answered by a Jacksonville three pointer 10 seconds later.

Cooks hit two free throws and recorded his third steal of the game with less than 30 seconds remaining the game to maintain the lead.

Jacksonville hit a three pointer with nine seconds remaining to trim the lead to just two points, by Shyquan Gibbs hit a free throw with seven seconds left and Jacksonville missed a three pointer at the buzzer to secure NJIT its seventh home win of the season.

Gibbs finished with 10 points and two assists on the game.

Shawndale Jones was a bright spot off the bench, hitting 3-6 field goals for eight points in 21 minutes.

Next up for NJIT, the Highlanders will hit the road for a quick turnaround on Monday, January 21, when they face North Florida at 7 p.m. ET. (TV: ESPN+)

NJIT will then complete their road trip on Thursday, January 21, against Stetson at 7 p.m. (TV: ESPN+)

Following the weekday road games, NJIT returns home to the Wellness and Events Center in Newark, N.J., on Sunday, January 27, where they will host North Alabama at 4 p.m.