NJIT defeats New Hampshire 80-76

NJIT Edges New Hampshire in Thrilling Conference Matchup

In a dramatic turn of events, theNJIT Hawks (80) emerged victorious over the visiting New Hampshire Wildcats (76), erasing a 5-point deficit at halftime to secure an important conference win.

Trailing by 35-40 at intermission, NJIT made several adjustments that paid off in the second half. The Hawks' ability to limit their turnovers and capitalize on fast break opportunities proved crucial in closing the gap. By the end of regulation, NJIT had narrowed the deficit to just four points, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.

David Bolden led the way for NJIT, scoring 21 points on 5-9 three-point shooting (37.5% FG) and dishing out four assists. His all-around performance was complemented by Melvyn Ebonkoli's 11 rebounds and seven points. The Hawks' balanced attack allowed them to stay competitive throughout.

In contrast, New Hampshire struggled with its outside shot, going 0-1 from beyond the arc (42.9% FG). Despite this, Comeh Emuobor still managed to score 18 points, with John Squire chipping in seven points and four assists off the bench for the Wildcats.

The game's advanced statistics painted a picture of a closely contested affair. Both teams shot efficiently from the field (NJIT 42.0%, New Hampshire 44.0%), but NJIT's free throw shooting gave them an edge (78.0% vs 73.0%). The Hawks also showed better poise in their transition game, scoring 13 fast break points compared to New Hampshire's 15.

With the win, NJIT takes a crucial step forward in conference play, while New Hampshire falls behind. This matchup will undoubtedly be remembered for its dramatic comeback and the close margin of victory.