Women's Hoops Wins Second Straight America East Game

The NJIT women's basketball team won its second straight home America East Conference game Saturday afternoon, defeating visiting New Hampshire, 71-63, inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.

VIDEO: Post Game Interview with Alejandra Zuniga & Head Coach Mike Lane | Post Game Wrap Up with Assistant Coach Payce Lange

NJIT, winners of the last three out of four contests, improved to 9-15 overall, 6-5 in the America East while New Hampshire moved to 8-16 overall, 2-9 in the America East. With the win, NJIT splits the regular season series with the Wildcats and currently sit tied for fourth with Bryant in the America East standings.

The Highlanders had three players in double-figures paced by junior Alejandra Zuniga with 20 points followed by Trinity Williams and Olivia Kulyk who chipped in 10 points each. Williams finished the game 5-of-8 from the field with four rebounds and Kulyk connected on 2-of-4 from three-point range, including a step-back three-pointer with 1:06 left on the clock to push the NJIT lead to as many as five, 66-61, in the fourth quarter, to continue the Highlanders 10-2 spurt to close out the game.

New Hampshire scored the first seven straight points in the opening two minutes to take a 7-0 lead. NJIT inched their way back into the game using a 7-2 spurt, knotting the game at 12-all on an old fashioned three-point play by Alejandra Zuniga at the 4:05 mark. The Highlanders took control and scored 10 straight to take a 17-12 advantage capped by a three-pointer by Olivia Kulyk at the 2:18 mark. The Wildcats scored the final five points of the quarter for a 17-all tie at the end of the first 10 minutes. Alejandra Zuniga scored eight points for the Highlanders.

Both teams went back and forth to start the second quarter as NJIT took a five-point advantage behind back-to-back buckets for a 27-22 score. In the final three minutes, New Hampshire used a 7-2 run to cut the Highlanders deficit to only one, 32-31, heading into the half.

Alejandra Zuniga paced NJIT with eight points while Eva DeChent led all scorers with 14 points after the first 20 minutes.

New Hampshire outscored NJIT 17-10 in the third quarter and scored the last six out of eight points in the final 2:04 for a six-point lead, 48-40.

NJIT exploded for 29-fourth quarter points and used a 10-2 run to close out the game, breaking a 61-all tie at the 2:21 mark. The run started by a bucket from Williams at the 2:07 mark which put the Highlanders in front for good, securing the 71-63 home victory.

Saturday marked NJIT women's basketball Alumnae Day and Amber Morgan Memorial Game. Amber Morgan tragically passed away last summer in a senseless act of domestic violence at the age of 26. Amber had a vibrant spirit and spirit and a caring personality that resonated with everyone who knew her.

Next Up
The Highlanders will conclude its three-game homestand Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. when the Highlanders host Bryant inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.