NJIT Holds off Florida Gulf Coast for 56-54 Road Win

The NJIT men's basketball team won for the fourth time in five games on Saturday, defeating host Florida Gulf Coast 56-54 in ASUN Conference action in front of 2,843 at Alico Arena.

NJIT (7-13, 4-3 ASUN) scored the first 10 points of the game and never trailed, but FGCU (6-16, 3-4 ASUN) was able to claw back and tie the game on three occasions in the second half. 

Zach Scott's three-pointer with 1:46 to play tied the contest at 54-54, but Zach Cooks answered with a runner 31 seconds later to put the Highlanders back in front by two. Cooks' runner was the final basket of the evening as NJIT was able to get a stop on FGCU's final two possessions to preserve the victory.

"We needed a bucket, and I was able to get a good look coming off a screen," explained Cooks. "They hit a big shot to tie it and had the momentum, so it was important to come down on that next possession and get the lead back."

Cooks scored 21 of his game-high 25 points before halftime, including five during the squad's 10-0 run to open the game.

"We needed to come out quick and give each other confidence after a tough loss Thursday," added Cooks.

The Eagles responded to that run with seven-straight points to quickly cut into the lead, but NJIT was able to open it up to a game-high 12 points on Cooks' third three-pointer of the evening with just more than six minutes to play in the first half. 

FGCU once again rallied, cutting the margin to six, 32-26, as the teams entered their locker rooms for halftime.

Shyquan Gibbs opened up the second half scoring just 12 seconds in to put NJIT up by eight, but that marked the largest lead of the half as FGCU scored the next four points and eventually tied the game for the first time, 41-41, with 11:23 to play.

The teams traded baskets to make the score 43-43 before the Highlanders scored five straight on a very deep three-pointer from Diego Willis and another layup from Gibbs.

The comfortable lead was short-lived as the Eagles were able to get within one, 52-51, with 4:11 to play. Neither team scored for more than two minutes until another deep jumper, this time a two-pointer, from Willis put NJIT in front by three with 2:06 to play.

Scott's aforementioned three-pointer tied the game on the next possession, but Cooks was able to put NJIT back in front one last time and the Highlanders were able to hold on for their second-straight win at Alico Arena after going winless in their first four opportunities. 

Gibbs joined Cooks in double figures with 12 points, including nine after halftime. The Highlanders won the battle on the boards 29-22, with Souleymane Diakite's game-high-tying seven rebounds leading the way.

Caleb Catto scored 21 points to lead the Eagles, who lost their second-straight game on Saturday.

NJIT will return to Newark and begin a season-long, three-game homestand on Thursday when it hosts North Alabama. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in the WEC.

"We are confident right now," concluded Cooks. "If we keep playing defense and stick to our game plan, good things will happen."