NJIT outscored Maine 36-20 in the second half on Saturday afternoon, pulling away for a 63-42 America East women’s basketball win at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness & Events Center in Newark, NJ.
The Black Bears had a pair of six point leads in the first quarter and 12-9 after 10 minutes, before the Highlanders took over outscoring the guests 18-10 in the second to take the lead for good on a Ava Locklear layup. NJIT had a 27-22 advantage at halftime. Maine continued to shoot poorly in the last 20 minutes, where the hosts were able to stretch the lead and pull away leading by as many as 24.
Olivia Kulyk led NJIT with 19 points (3-9 three-pointers) and nine rebounds, while Locklear finished with a double double with 17 points (3-5 three-pointers) and 12 boards. Marissa Gingrich contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, as the Highlanders improved to 16-10 and 7-6 in America East. Adrianna Smith was the only double digit scorer in the Maine loss recording her 14th double double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Lala Woods chipped in eight points and five rebounds, as the Black Bears shot just 23% from the floor (2-21 from the three-point arc) in having their four game win streak snapped. Maine (14-12, 9-4 in the conference) returns to action next Saturday when they host UNH at 1 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Katie Moyes (UMaine Athletics) from a game earlier this season
