NJIT Picks Up First America East Conference Sweep Over Hartford

NJIT picked up it first America East Conference series sweep of the season, behind freshman Lyzi Litwinko's first career double-double, combining for 10 points, 13 rebounds as the Highlanders cruised to a 62-42 win over visiting Hartford Monday afternoon in women's basketball conference action inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.

NJIT, which recorded a 65-51 victory on Sunday over the Hawks, secured its sweep on Monday with a 62-42 home victory.  As of Monday evening, NJIT sits tied for fourth in the America East standings with Vermont (4-2), Stony Brook (4-2), Binghamton (4-6) and New Hampshire (4-6).

The last time the Highlanders won back-to-back games was last season, when NJIT won a stretch of three games (Nov. 26, 2019 to Dec. 7, 2019) where the Highlanders defeated St. Francis Brooklyn and Saint Peter's at home and went on the road to defeat Hartford.

Litwinko, the 5-foot-8 guard, set a new personal record with 13 rebounds — seven shy the NJIT Division I single game record of 20 set by Leah Horton (vs. Lipscomb on Feb. 4, 2016). Litwinko finished a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line in addition to, dishing out a game-best five assists. 

Senior captain Ellyn Stoll led the Highlanders with a team-best 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-6 from three-point range. Freshman Grace Plummer came off the bench to score 12 points on 4-of-6 from downtown in 15 minutes of action. Sophomore Kenna Squier added nine points.

NJIT used 12 players in the victory with 10 players recording at least two points.

Hartford was led by a game-best 17 points from guard Jada Lucas followed by a double-double by Nina Farkic with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Marisa Lee came off the bench to add seven points. 

A slow start for both teams saw the first points scored from the free throw line by NJIT's Kimi Evans at the 6:20 mark. NJIT shot 8% (1-for-13) from the field while Hartford went 19% (3-for-16) from the field.

NJIT scored the first six points of the second quarter taking a 12-9 lead but Harford rallied back using an 11-4 spurt to take a four-point lead, 20-16, with less than four on the clock. A pair of back-to-back three-pointers from Stoll and Kendle Dalrymple pulled the Highlanders within one, 23-22, with 1:24 to play. The two teams shooting percentage increased in the second quarter as NJIT shot 47% (7-for-15) while Hartford 50% (6-for-12).

Trailing by one at the half, 25-24, eight different Highlanders scored at least two points in the first 20 minutes led by Squier and Litwinko with four points while Hartford's Lucas led all scorers with 12 points.

NJIT got off to a quick start in the third quarter on a 13-5 run, taking a seven-point lead, 37-30, into the under five media timeout and outscored the Hawks 18-7 in the period, taking a 10-point lead, 42-32, heading into the final quarter.

NJIT used a 7-1 spurt in the fourth quarter, thanks to a pair of three-pointers from Grace Plummer, as NJIT took its biggest lead of the game 14, 49-35 with 6:24 left to play and never looked back. The Highlanders closed out the final 5:30 on a 13-4 run, cruising to a 62-42 home victory.  

NJIT will prepare this week for reigning America East Conference champions Stony Brook as the Highlanders visit the Seawolves on Jan. 20-21. Both games are slated for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.

NJIT Highlights vs. Hartford | 1.18.21

Post Game Recap with Coach Lane and Litwinko

Post Game Show with Assistant Coach LT Watson

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