Cooks lifts NJIT to 71-60 road win over Wagner
NEW YORK -- Zach Cooks scored 22 points with five steals and NJIT pulled away in the second half to beat Wagner 71-60 on Tuesday night.
The Highlanders (5-1) shot just 36 percent in the first half and trailed 31-25. But the second half was another story. NJIT made 11 of 21 shots (52 percent), while holding the Seahawks to 27-percent shooting (8 of 30). Wagner, the defending Northeast Conference champions, won 16 of 17 games on its home floor last season.
Wagner (2-2) upped its lead to 43-33 on a 3-pointer by Romone Saunders with 13:13 left to play, but Diandre Wilson nailed a 3 to ignite a 16-2 run and NJIT grabbed a 49-45 lead with 8:05 remaining and never trailed again.
Wilson finished with 17 points and five boards, while Shyquan Gibbs made 9 of 11 free throws and scored 13 for NJIT.
Saunders topped the Seahawks with 22 points and eight rebounds, but he made just 6 of 18 shots as Wagner shot 30 percent from the floor (17 of 57). Reserve Jeff Coulanges added his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Ray Perone
- Paul Faia
- Mikerlange Fleury
2024-25 America East Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant | 4-0 | - | 10-9 |
| Maine | 4-1 | 0.5 | 12-8 |
| Vermont | 3-1 | 1 | 10-9 |
| UMass Lowell | 2-2 | 2 | 13-6 |
| UAlbany | 2-3 | 2.5 | 10-10 |
| New Hampshire | 2-3 | 2.5 | 4-16 |
| UMBC | 1-3 | 3 | 9-10 |
| NJIT | 1-3 | 3 | 4-15 |
| Binghamton | 1-4 | 3.5 | 9-11 |
2024-25 Northeast Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Island University | 6-0 | - | 10-11 |
| Central Connecticut | 3-2 | 2.5 | 12-6 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson | 3-2 | 2.5 | 7-13 |
| Wagner | 2-3 | 3.5 | 10-8 |
| Stonehill | 2-3 | 3.5 | 10-10 |
| Le Moyne | 2-3 | 3.5 | 7-13 |
| Chicago State | 2-3 | 3.5 | 2-18 |
| Mercyhurst | 2-4 | 4 | 8-13 |
| St. Francis (PA) | 2-4 | 4 | 7-13 |
Men's College Basketball News
