NJIT's Ari Fulton stole the show at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center, guiding his team to a 73-64 win over Binghamton. Fulton's impressive 21-point, 9-rebound performance set the tone for the Highlanders, who never trailed by more than 2 points in the second half. Jeremiah Quigley led the charge for Binghamton, posting 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome NJIT's balanced attack.
Ari Fulton's 21-Point Outing Marks His 5th 20-Point Game of the Season
The first half saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm, with NJIT taking a slim 32-30 lead into the break. However, the Highlanders came out strong in the second half, outscoring Binghamton 41-34 to secure the 9-point victory. Jordan Rogers and Sebastian Robinson provided valuable support for Fulton, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively, and grabbing a combined 15 rebounds. NJIT's ability to control the paint and limit Binghamton's scoring opportunities proved crucial in the win.
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Final
CHD Scout's preseason prediction of an NJIT win by 6.5 points proved accurate, as the Highlanders exceeded expectations with their 9-point margin of victory. The predicted score of 75-68 was close, but NJIT's defense held strong, limiting Binghamton to just 64 points. This win marks a significant milestone for NJIT, who improve to 13-12 on the season and strengthen their resume with a Quadrant 4 win.
The loss drops Binghamton to 5-20, and while it was a tough outing for the Bearcats, Quigley's impressive all-around performance is a positive takeaway. Wes Peterson Jr. and Stephan Snagg also contributed to the effort, scoring 14 and 10 points, respectively. Despite the defeat, Binghamton's fighting spirit was evident throughout the game, and they want to build on this performance in their upcoming matchups.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For NJIT, the win is a crucial Quadrant 4 victory, which will help bolster their resume. However, with a current NET ranking of 305, the Highlanders still have work to do to become a serious contender. Binghamton, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle, with their Quadrant 4 loss dropping them to a NET ranking of 362. While the Bearcats have shown flashes of brilliance, consistency will be key if they hope to turn their season around.