NEWARK, NJ--The NJIT men's basketball team returns to the court on Wednesday, fresh off an eight-day layoff, when it welcomes Fairleigh Dickinson to the Wellness and Events Center.

Game Information
Tipoff is slated for 2pm in the WEC. Matt Provence and Rob Kennedy will have the call on ESPN+. 

NJIT Athletics Spectator Policy
It's the good news you've all been waiting for! Fans will be back in the stands cheering on the Highlanders this Winter!

NJIT's Department of Athletics welcomes back spectators to our Winter 2021-22 home events.   Because the health and safety of NJIT's athletes, coaches & staff, opponents, fans and community is paramount; the Department of Athletics is requiring that all spectators wear a mask at NJIT home indoor athletic events.    

The spectator universal masking policy is required regardless of vaccination status. In addition to universal masking, we ask that unvaccinated spectators remain physically distanced whenever possible.

The Winter 2021-22 NJIT Spectator Policy is subject to change based on local, state, and  federal/CDC guidelines, and NCAA and America East Conference recommendations.

All-Time Series
Wednesday's matchup is the sixth all-time between the Highlanders and Knights. NJIT has won all five previous matchups in the series, which began in 2011. Three of the five wins came by 10 points or less, including the Highlanders' 90-80 victory in the last meeting on Dec. 15, 2018. 

Since moving to Division I, NJIT is 20-14 vs. NEC opponents, with its most recent contest being a 61-54 setback to Merrimack in the season opener.. NJIT's last win against an NEC opponent came on November 16, 2019, when the Highlanders defeated Wagmer 88-69. Brian Kennedy is 8-3 all-time against NEC opponents. 

Last Time Out
 The NJIT men's basketball team led 33-32 at halftime before ultimately falling 75-61 to host Rutgers in front of a sold out crowd on Tuesday evening at Jersey Mike's Arena.

"I thought it was a well-played game," said sixth-year Head Coach Brian Kennedy. "I tip my hat to Rutgers, they really came out the second half and made some adjustments. We had a one-point lead at the half, but every time we made something, Geo Baker seemed to hit a big shot and negate our momentum."

Dylan O'Hearn, who finished with 20 points, was NJIT's top scorer for the second-straight game. He was joined in double figures by Miles Coleman (15 points) and Butler (13 points). Coleman also grabbed four rebounds and dished out a game-high-tying four assists. 

NJIT Stat Leaders
Points: Dylan O'Hearn 17.7 ppg
Rebounds: Miles Coleman, Souleymane Diakite; 5.7 rpg
3PT FG: Antwuan Butler, 6-of-11; 54.5%
FG Pct.: James Lee, 61.5%
Assists: Antwuan Butler, 9
Blocks: Souleymane Diakite, 6
Minutes: O'Hearn, 36.0 mpg

America East Conference
NJIT will begin its second season in the America East and will play a schedule of 18 conference games against the other nine schools.  The Highlanders became the 10th full member of the America East on July 1, 2020.

The Highlanders were predicted to finish eighth out of the 10 league teams in the preseason coaches poll.

Next Up
NJIT returns back to action on Saturday when it hits the road to take on St. John's. Tip-off is slated for 4pm in Queens. 

Stay Connected 
Stay up to date during the NJIT Men's Basketball season by following @NJITHoops on Twitter and Instagram and liking the NJIT Men's Basketball page on Facebook.