NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — A surging Maryland-Baltimore County squad aims to continue its dominant run through the America East Conference when it visits a struggling NJIT team on Tuesday night at Fleisher Athletic Center. The Retrievers (20-8, 13-2 America East) enter on an eight-game winning streak, their latest an 84-60 road rout of Massachusetts-Lowell on Saturday. UMBC has not lost since Jan. 29 and sits atop the conference standings. In contrast, the Highlanders (15-15, 8-7) have dropped three straight, including a 69-52 loss at Bryant on Saturday, dampening their momentum from a prior three-game win streak. The matchup features two of the league’s top scorers. UMBC is led by guard Jah’Likai King, who is averaging 18.1 points during the winning streak and exploded for 24 points in just 31 minutes against UMass Lowell. For NJIT, guard Sebastian Robinson remains a bright spot, averaging 17.1 points over his last seven games despite the team’s recent skid. He scored 23 points in consecutive wins earlier this month. When the teams met in Baltimore on Jan. 22, UMBC secured an 87-74 victory. The Retrievers have been formidable on both ends, scoring 80.1 points per game during their streak while holding opponents to 62.6. NJIT, which has lost six of its last nine, will need a defensive resurgence at home to counter UMBC’s balanced attack. Beyond King, guards Ace Valentine and Jose Roberto Tanchyn have provided consistent secondary scoring. The Highlanders, led by Robinson and David Bolden, must improve upon a shooting performance that saw them make just 32.8% from the field in the loss to Bryant. Tuesday’s contest is critical for conference tournament seeding. A UMBC win would solidify its hold on first place, while NJIT seeks to halt its slide and climb back to .500 in league play. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.