NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The NJIT Highlanders (20-10, 8-7 ASUN) fell just short to Lipscomb (22-6, 13-2 ASUN) at Allen Arena on Monday, 81-77.

Junior Shyquan Gibbs finished as NJIT's top scorer thanks to a monster second half, in which he scored all 19 of his points. Abdul Lewis earned his 22nd career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Senior Diandre Wilson totaled 15 points while Zach Cooks added 12 points and five boards.

Lipscomb opened the game with three-consecutive three pointers to open a 9-0 lead out of the gates. Freshman Kjell de Graaf answered with a three pointer and Cooks turned a steal into a layup to end the run.

The Bisons stayed hot from three-point range hitting seven in the opening 10 minutes while de Graaf kept pace, hitting two more three pointers to finish a perfect 3-3 in the same span.

Lipscomb opened up a lead as large as 17 points by the nine-minute mark, which saw them hit 11 in the first 20 minutes for 33 of Lipscomb's 39 first-half points.

NJIT answered back, thanks to a pair of buckets from senior Mohamed Bendary and four free throws from Wilson.

Lewis scored on three-consecutive possessions with under two minutes remaining to trim the deficit to 11 points at the break, 39-28.

NJIT exited the locker room and immediately tightened up the defense, holding Lipscomb to two points on 1-7 field goals by the first media timeout.

The Highlanders offense roared to life, hitting their next nine field goals over a five-minute stretch.

Led by Gibbs who scored 11 points in the opening eight minutes, NJIT took their first lead of the game at the 11-minute mark.

Lipscomb fired back with an 8-0 run, ended by Lewis who snagged NJIT's next three buckets as the Highlanders trailed by six points with as many minutes remaining.

Through 14 minutes of the second half, NJIT was shooting 70% from the field.

The trend continued for the Highlanders, burying four-consecutive field goals and four free throws to trim Lipscomb's lead to two points with 3:30 remaining.

A bucket and a dunk for Lipscomb with 90 seconds remaining extended the Bisons lead to six, as NJIT's offense was held scoreless for a three-minute stretch.

Cooks ended the drought with a pair of free throws with 25 seconds remaining.

Lipscomb buried two free throws and Wilson nailed a three pointer with 14 seconds remaining to reduce the deficit to four points.

Wilson immediately fouled a Lipscomb player, but a technical foul on Lipscomb gave gifted Wilson two free throws, which he made.

The free throw battle continued with Lipscomb making both and Cooks converting two with seven seconds left to cut the lead to two once again, only to see Lipscomb hit both to clinch the victory.

The NJIT Highlanders return home for the final game of the regular season, Senior Day, on Friday, March 1, to host Liberty at 7 p.m. ET.

Tickets are available for purchase on www.NJITtix.com.