NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — David Bolden scored 21 points as NJIT rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat New Hampshire 80-76 in an America East Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Fleisher Athletic Center. The Highlanders trailed 40-35 at halftime but outscored the Wildcats 45-36 in the second half. Bolden’s late 3-pointer helped seal the win. Ari Fulton added 18 points for NJIT. Comeh Emuobor led New Hampshire with 18 points and KiJan Robinson scored 16. The Wildcats committed 15 turnovers, leading to 15 points for NJIT. NJIT improved to 7-10 overall. New Hampshire fell to 4-11.

NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — David Bolden scored 21 points, including a critical late 3-pointer, and the NJIT Highlanders overcame a halftime deficit to outlast the New Hampshire Wildcats 80-76 in an America East Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Fleisher Athletic Center. The most important part of the game unfolded in the final minutes, as NJIT erased a five-point halftime disadvantage with a second-half surge fueled by defense and clutch shooting. Trailing 40-35 at the break, the Highlanders opened the second period on a 17-7 run to seize control, a lead they would not relinquish despite several New Hampshire rallies. Bolden, a guard from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the catalyst. His 3-pointer with 1:42 remaining gave NJIT a 77-74 cushion after the Wildcats had closed to within a single possession. He finished 7 of 18 from the field and added four assists. Forward Ari Fulton of Fayetteville, North Carolina, provided crucial support with 18 points, three assists and two blocks, helping to anchor a defensive effort that forced 15 New Hampshire turnovers. The Wildcats, who led by as many as eight in the first half, were plagued by ball security issues. NJIT converted those 15 turnovers into 15 points, while New Hampshire managed only three points off seven Highlander giveaways. The disparity in assists was stark, with NJIT recording 10 to New Hampshire’s two, highlighting the visitors’ struggle to generate consistent offense within their system. Comeh Emuobor of Raleigh, North Carolina, led New Hampshire with 18 points off the bench. Guard KiJan Robinson from Apopka, Florida, added 16 points and four assists. The Wildcats shot a respectable 44.2% from the field but were undermined by their carelessness with the ball and an inability to contain Bolden down the stretch. NJIT’s defensive pressure was comprehensive, tallying 10 steals and seven blocks. Melvyn Ebonkoli and Jordan Rogers combined for four of those blocks, altering numerous shots in the paint. The Highlanders also won the battle on the offensive glass, securing 12 rebounds to New Hampshire’s nine, which led to 12 second-chance points. The game was a tale of two halves. New Hampshire built its lead in the first period behind efficient shooting, connecting on 8 of 19 from 3-point range. NJIT, meanwhile, stayed close by attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line, where they shot 18 for 23 on the night. The second half saw a role reversal. NJIT tightened its defense, holding New Hampshire to 36 points after the break while finding its own offensive rhythm. A key sequence occurred midway through the half when back-to-back steals by Quentin Duncan and David Bolden led to fast-break scores, extending a narrow NJIT lead and forcing a New Hampshire timeout. New Hampshire made a final push in the last two minutes. A pair of free throws by Robinson cut the deficit to 74-72 with 2:28 to play, setting the stage for Bolden’s decisive 3-pointer on the ensuing possession. The Wildcats had a chance to tie in the final 30 seconds, but a turnover by Emuobor was picked off by Bolden, effectively sealing the outcome. Rocco Awad, who finished with 10 points, added a final 3-pointer for NJIT with 23 seconds left to provide the final margin. With the victory, NJIT improves to 7-10 overall. New Hampshire falls to 4-11. Both teams return to conference play Saturday, with NJIT hosting Maine and New Hampshire traveling to face Maryland-Baltimore County.

Preview: New Hampshire Wildcats at NJIT Highlanders NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — Two America East Conference men’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Thursday when the NJIT Highlanders host the New Hampshire Wildcats at Fleisher Athletic Center. The matchup features teams with similar records looking to climb the league standings. NJIT (6-10) enters with a slight edge in the win column over New Hampshire (4-10). Both squads are coming off conference results this past Saturday, with the Highlanders securing a 73-65 road win at Binghamton, while the Wildcats fell 80-61 at home to Vermont. A key storyline will be the backcourt battle between two standout guards sharing a surname. New Hampshire’s KiJan Robinson has been a bright spot, averaging 13 points over his last four games. He is coming off a 22-point performance against Vermont. For NJIT, Sebastian Robinson has provided consistent scoring, averaging 15.5 points over his last six contests. He matched KiJan Robinson’s output with 22 points in the Highlanders’ win over Binghamton. NJIT will look to build on its most recent victory, which also saw strong contributions from Melvyn Ebonkoli (16 points, 8 rebounds) and David Bolden (12 points). The Highlanders’ season has been marked by offensive inconsistency, including a 101-52 loss at Butler on Dec. 22, but they have shown resilience at home with non-conference wins over SUNY Canton and New Haven in December. New Hampshire arrives seeking to end a three-game skid, with all losses coming by double digits. Beyond KiJan Robinson, Belal El Shakery (11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists vs. Vermont) and RJ Kennedy have been contributors. The Wildcats’ last win was a narrow 59-58 victory over Stonehill on Dec. 17. Historically, the teams have split their last four meetings. This begins a crucial two-game conference homestand for NJIT, which hosts Maine on Saturday. New Hampshire continues its road trip at Maryland-Baltimore County on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST Thursday at NJIT’s Fleisher Athletic Center.