LEE, N.H. (Interstat) — The NJIT Highlanders earned a 69-62 women’s basketball victory over the New Hampshire Wildcats at Lundholm Gym on Thursday night. NJIT led 31-34 at halftime but used a strong fourth quarter to secure the America East Conference win. The Highlanders sealed the game at the free-throw line, making 22 of 30 attempts. Alejandra Zuniga led NJIT with 19 points. New Hampshire’s Eva DeChent scored a game-high 34 points in the losing effort. The Wildcats shot just 34% from the floor. NJIT improved to 11-5 overall, while New Hampshire fell to 6-10.

LEE, N.H. (Interstat) — In a gritty America East Conference clash defined by defense and a singular, spectacular offensive performance, the NJIT Highlanders outlasted the New Hampshire Wildcats 69-62 in women’s basketball Thursday night at Lundholm Gym. The game pivoted on a tale of two halves and the remarkable efforts of two players: NJIT’s balanced attack, led by Alejandra Zuniga’s 19 points, ultimately overcame a historic 34-point eruption from New Hampshire’s Eva DeChent. NJIT, improving to 11-5 overall, used a strong fourth quarter to seal the victory. The Highlanders entered the final period clinging to a one-point lead but outscored the Wildcats 22-12 down the stretch. The Wildcats, who fell to 6-10, saw a two-game home winning streak snapped as their offense stalled when it mattered most. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minutes. With NJIT leading 60-57 and just over seven minutes remaining, DeChent completed a three-point play to tie the game at 60. It was the culmination of a relentless personal effort that kept the Wildcats in contention. The Highlanders responded immediately, as Marissa Gingrich drove for a layup to regain the lead. On the ensuing possession, Ava Locklear stole the ball from Camryn Fauria, leading to a trip to the free-throw line where Locklear hit one of two to push the lead to three. New Hampshire then went scoreless for over five crucial minutes, missing seven consecutive field goal attempts. NJIT’s defense tightened, with Locklear and Allison Cannon each recording blocks during the drought. The Highlanders methodically extended their advantage at the foul line, with Zuniga and Madilyn Dogs combining to make three free throws for a 66-60 lead with under a minute to play. A final jump shot from New Hampshire’s Elizabeth Lavoie with 28 seconds left was too little, too late, as NJIT closed the game from the stripe. DeChent, a 5-foot-11 guard from Westchester, New York, was virtually unstoppable for long stretches. She played 39 minutes, scoring her 34 points on a combination of driving layups and free throws, adding a block and a steal. Her performance nearly matched the output of the rest of her team. However, NJIT’s defense, particularly in the fourth quarter, found ways to limit her looks and force others to beat them. The Highlanders countered with a more distributed effort. Zuniga, a guard from Madrid, Spain, shouldered the scoring load with her 19 points, often attacking the basket. Olivia Kulyk added 14 points and a game-high defensive presence, while Cannon contributed 13 points, two steals and a key block. Locklear was a force inside with 11 points, two blocks, and a game-high 10 defensive rebounds. Statistically, the game was a defensive struggle. Both teams shot identically from the floor, making 22 field goals, but NJIT attempted 10 fewer shots. The difference came at the free-throw line, where the Highlanders attempted 30 free throws, making 22, compared to New Hampshire’s 19 attempts and 14 makes. NJIT also won the battle in the paint, 36-34, and committed 13 turnovers to New Hampshire’s 11. The first half set the stage for the dramatic finish. NJIT started quickly, leading 14-13 after one quarter behind early three-pointers from Kulyk and Cannon. The second quarter belonged to New Hampshire, specifically DeChent and Maggie Cavanaugh, who combined for 17 of the Wildcats’ 21 points in the period. A 9-2 run late in the quarter, capped by consecutive DeChent layups assisted by Sydney Lusher, gave New Hampshire a 34-31 halftime lead. The third quarter was a tense, back-and-forth affair with three ties and two lead changes. Neither team led by more than four points as DeChent and Zuniga traded baskets. A last-second three-pointer by Lavoie, assisted by DeChent, sent the Wildcats into the fourth quarter trailing only 47-46, setting up the decisive final frame. The win keeps NJIT near the top of the America East standings as they head into a road game at Maine on Saturday. New Hampshire, seeking consistency, will host Maryland-Baltimore County on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Newark on Feb. 12.

Preview: NJIT Highlanders at New Hampshire Wildcats LEE, N.H. (Interstat) — The NJIT Highlanders visit the New Hampshire Wildcats in an America East women’s basketball matchup on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at Lundholm Gym. NJIT (10-5) enters with a winning record but looks to rebound from a 75-71 home loss to Binghamton last Saturday. The Highlanders had won two straight prior to that defeat. New Hampshire (6-9) seeks to end a two-game skid after falling 72-56 at Vermont on Saturday. A key matchup will feature two of the conference’s top performers. NJIT’s Ava Locklear is coming off a dominant double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds against Binghamton. Over her last four games, the forward is averaging 8.5 points and 7.0 rebounds. She will be countered by New Hampshire’s standout Eva DeChent, who has been a consistent force. DeChent nearly posted a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds against Vermont, and she scored 33 points in a win over Central Connecticut on Dec. 17. In her last five contests, she is averaging 21.8 points per game. In NJIT’s loss to Binghamton, Alejandra Zuniga added 19 points and eight assists, while Olivia Kulyk scored 20 points. For New Hampshire in its last outing, Elizabeth Lavoie contributed nine points and eight rebounds alongside DeChent’s effort. The Wildcats will need to contain an NJIT offense that has scored 75 or more points in three of its last four games. New Hampshire’s defense, which allowed just 45 points in a loss to Bryant on Jan. 1 but 72 to Vermont, will be tested. This game opens a critical January conference stretch for both teams. NJIT visits Maine on Saturday, while New Hampshire hosts Maryland-Baltimore County that same day. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Thursday.