Women's Basketball Holds Off Visiting LIU for Final Home Win in 2023

Long Island Universiy outscored NJIT 20-9 in the fourth quarter but the Highlanders held off the visiting Sharks led by Trinity Williams' 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks to pick up a 58-54 home victory for NJIT in the non-conference finale in 2023 on Sunday afternoon inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.

The Highlanders finished the non-conference slate above .500 with an 8-5 mark for the first time in the NJIT Division I era (first season competing against a Division I schedule – 2006-07). The victory over LIU was win #50 for head coach Mike Lane since taking over the reins at NJIT in 2018-19.

Photo Gallery
VIDEO: Post Game Interview w/ head coach Mike Lane
VIDEO: NJIT Highlights vs. LIU 

NJIT held a 31-19 lead at the half but it was LIU who took control of the second half, scoring 35 points. NJIT held a three-point advantage over LIU in the third quarter, 18-15, but the Sharks held most of the momentum in the final stanza, out-scoring the home team, 20-9. NJIT's Alejandra Zuniga put the Highlanders ahead by five, 58-53, after a pair of free throws with seven seconds remaining.

Zuniga, the 2023 America East Conference Rookie of the Year, led all scorers with 16 points followed by junior Trinity Williams with 15 points on 7-of-9 from the field. Graduate student Kenna Squier combined for eight points.

Freshman Madilyn Dogs led the game with 10 rebounds followed by Williams (9) and Squier (7).

As a team, NJIT recorded 10 blocks paced by Williams (3), Dogs (3) and Mackenzie Wright-Rawls (2).

LIU (1-10) had two players in double-digits led by Mariah Elohim (11) and Nigeria Harkless (10). Harkless and Janessa Williams pulled down seven rebounds each.

Both teams traded points over the first five minutes paced by Alejandra Zuniga who led all players with five points for a 9-8 lead heading into the under-five media timeout. NJIT went on a 8-2 spurt in the final 3:33, extending the Highlander lead to five, 17-12. Zuniga paced all players with eight points through the first 10 minutes.

NJIT went on a 14-3 run over 7:42 through the second quarter behind eight points from Trinity Williams to push the Highlanders to a double-digit lead, 31-19, heading into the half.

After the first 20 minutes, Williams led all players with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field followed by Zuniga with eight points and Kenna Squier with four points, four rebounds, two steals and two assists.

The Highlanders continued to extend its lead, opening the third quarter 11-9, taking a 42-28 advantage at the under five media timeout. NJIT knocked down back-to-back three-pointers from Reese Vaughan and Lilly Anderson and the home team went into the final quarter with a 49-34 lead.

LIU took control of the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter, closing the Highlander gap to single digits, four, 53-49, behind a 15-4 run at the 3:30 mark. With the shot clock winding down Zuniga dribbled through the LIU defense dishing off a pass to Madilyn Dogs who converted a layup at the 1:48 mark to put the Highlanders back up by six, 55-49. LIU continued to inch their way closer, cutting the Highlander deficit to three, 56-53, with thirteen seconds left to play. Zuniga knocked down a pair of free throws with seven seconds remaining to hold on to the 58-54 home victory.

Next Up
NJIT will begin America East Conference action on Saturday, Jan 6, 2024 at 2 p.m.