Stellar Defense, Balanced Offensive Effort Pushes NJIT Past Niagara, 62-53

Kevin Osawe posted his second double-double of the season as the NJIT men's basketball team held off visiting Niagara 62-53 on Sunday afternoon at the Wellness and Events Center.

Osawe came off the bench to score a season-high 16 points and tied his season-high with 13 rebounds as the Highlanders held the Purple Eagles to just 53 points on 39.3% shooting from the field and 6.3% from deep.

"It's been so fun to coach this group all season, they haven't given up for a second," explained seventh-year Head Coach Brian Kennedy. "We picked up the pace in practice this week and I thought it showed out there today."

NJIT also won the battle on the boards for the first time this season, out-rebounding Niagara 40-31.

Mekhi Gray continued his impressive junior season on Sunday, filling the stat sheet with eight points, five rebounds, five steals, four assists, and three blocks, while also holding Niagara's leading scorer Noah Thomasson to just seven points.

"Everyone was locked in today," said Gray. "It was a full team effort on defense, kudos to my teammates for that."

Gray and the Highlanders led by 12 at halftime thanks in part to a 14-5 run over the final six minutes of the opening half.

NJIT extended its lead to a game-high 18 early in the second half, but a 10-0 Purple Eagles' run cut the margin to eight.

Niagara was unable to get the margin to under eight however, as the Highlanders made their free throws down the stretch, converting 22-of-26 (84.6%) for the game.

Miles Coleman joined Osawe in double figures with 10 points, while Raheim Sullivan (eight points), Gray (eight points), and Adam Hess (seven points) all chipped in to the balanced offensive performance. Sullivan also dished out a game-high five assists, which is also a season-high for the point guard.

The Highlanders will look to make it two in a row on Thursday when they travel to Tampa for a 7 p.m. contest at South Florida.

Video: NJIT Highlights
Post-game Interview with Head Coach Brian Kennedy and Mekhi Gray
Post-game Interview with Assistant Coach Art Luptowski