Zach Cooks Scores Season-High 25 Points to Lead NJIT Past Stony Brook

 Zach Cooks scored a season-high 25 points, while Miles Coleman and Antwuan Butler each added double-digit scoring performances off the bench as the NJIT men's basketball team defeated visiting Stony Brook 74-65 in America East Conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Wellness and Events Center. 

"Zach has been battling an illness, but battled through it and was his normal self tonight," said Head Coach Brian Kennedy. "Most importantly, his defense was a huge plus for today. The offensive effort was nice, but his defensive energy was there."

Cooks and the Highlanders (5-6, 4-5 America East) shot 40.9% (9-of-22) from three-point range in the win, while Stony Brook (6-7, 4-3 America East) shot just 15.0% (3-of-20) from deep en route to its third-straight loss. 

The Seawolves scored the first four points of the game, but NJIT a thunderous dunk from Kjell de Graff tied the game at four and was part of an 8-0 NJIT run to put the Highlanders in front. De Graaf was fouled on the play and completed the old-fashioned three-point play to give NJIT the lead and the hosts never trailed over the final 37-plus minutes of the game. 

The Highlanders opened their lead up to as many as 14 in the first half thanks to 10 points from Coleman in the first 20 minutes. Stony Brook was able to dig into the lead and trailed by eight, 37-29 at halftime. 

Cooks took over in the second half, shooting 5-of-7 from the field and making both of his three-point attempts after halftime to help the Highlanders hold off Stony Brook.

The Seawolves were able to make things interesting in the second half, narrowing the NJIT lead to just three on two different occasions, but each time Cooks and his teammates were able to answer.

Coleman finished with 12 points, a new career-high, while Butler was able to chip in 10. Both of the junior transfers were 2-of-2 from three-point range in the win.

"Those guys were a big lift for us today," explained Kennedy. "Miles is coming off a high-ankle sprain, and he's shown what he can do when healthy."

Butler and Coleman helped NJIT outscore the Seawolves 31-7 in bench points on Saturday.

Stony Brook was led by Jaden Sayles, who finished with a career-high 32 points and seven rebounds. 

The Highlanders and Seawolves wrap up their two-game series on Sunday back at the WEC. Tip-off is slated for 2pm. 

"Back-to-backs are a different animal," concluded Kennedy. "Stony Brook threw the kitchen sink at us today and we expect another battle tomorrow."