NJIT holds off Jacksonville's late rally for a 77-74 victory
NEWARK, N.J. -- Zach Cooks scored 23 points, Abdul Lewis added 19 points and a career-high 21 rebounds and NJIT held off Jacksonville's late rally for a 77-74 victory on Saturday.
NJIT (14-5, 2-2 Atlantic Sun Conference) snapped its first two-game losing skid of the season. Jacksonville (8-12, 1-4) has lost seven of its last eight.
The Dolphins trailed by 20 points midway through the second half but pulled to 71-68 with 1:37 remaining. Diandre Wilson made a 3-pointer for NJIT to make it 74-68. Tyreese Davis answered with a 3 on the next possession to get Jacksonville back within three.
Cooks made 2 of 4 free throws between a Jacksonville turnover to stretch the Highlanders' lead to 76-71 with 20 seconds left. Jace Hogan's 3-pointer cut the Dolphins' deficit to two. Shyquan Gibbs added a free throw and Aamahne Santos missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Lewis added five assists and stretched his program record to 18 career double doubles. Wilson finished with 15 points on five 3-pointers, and Gibbs had 10 points.
Davis had 20 points to lead Jacksonville (8-12, 1-4). Hogan added 14 points and eight rebounds.
Game Information
2023-24 ASUN Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Eastern Kentucky | 12-4 | - | 17-14 |
Stetson | 11-5 | 1 | 22-13 |
Lipscomb | 11-5 | 1 | 20-12 |
Austin Peay | 10-6 | 2 | 19-16 |
North Florida | 9-7 | 3 | 16-16 |
North Alabama | 8-8 | 4 | 15-17 |
Florida Gulf Coast | 8-8 | 4 | 14-18 |
Queens University | 7-9 | 5 | 14-19 |
Kennesaw State | 6-10 | 6 | 15-16 |
Jacksonville | 5-11 | 7 | 16-17 |
Central Arkansas | 5-11 | 7 | 9-23 |
Bellarmine | 4-12 | 8 | 8-23 |
2023-24 America East Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Vermont | 15-1 | - | 28-7 |
UMass Lowell | 11-5 | 4 | 22-10 |
Bryant | 11-5 | 4 | 20-13 |
New Hampshire | 7-9 | 8 | 16-15 |
Binghamton | 7-9 | 8 | 15-15 |
Maine | 7-9 | 8 | 15-17 |
UMBC | 6-10 | 9 | 11-21 |
UAlbany | 5-11 | 10 | 13-19 |
NJIT | 3-13 | 12 | 7-21 |