Sebastian Robinson stole the show at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center, scoring 22 points and grabbing 7 rebounds to propel New Jersey Institute of Technology to a resounding 79-55 victory over Bryant. The Highlanders' convincing win was fueled by a strong second-half performance, where they outscored the Bulldogs 50-32.
At halftime, NJIT held a modest 29-23 lead, but they came out firing in the second half, with Robinson and David Bolden leading the charge. Bolden chipped in with 17 points, while Ari Fulton added 9 points to the winning effort. The Highlanders' offense was clicking on all cylinders, and their defense was equally impressive, holding Bryant to just 32 points in the second half.
For Bryant, Aaron Davis III was the lone bright spot, scoring 11 points and pulling down 6 rebounds. Timofei Rudovskii and Keegan Harvey also reached double figures, scoring 11 and 10 points respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Highlanders' onslaught. The Bulldogs struggled to find their rhythm, and NJIT's stifling defense made it difficult for them to get anything going.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout had predicted a close game, with NJIT winning by 4.5 points, but the actual margin of victory was a whopping 24 points. The prediction was correct in terms of the winner, but the margin was far greater than anticipated. The Highlanders' dominant performance was a reflection of their strength and depth, and it will surely give them a boost of confidence as they head into their next game.
This game had real consequences for both teams' resumes, as it was classified as a Quadrant 4 game for both NJIT and Bryant. The win will do little to enhance NJIT's tournament chances, but it will help to pad their overall record. For Bryant, the loss will be a setback, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason.
The Highlanders' victory improves their record to 9-11, while Bryant falls to 6-13. While this game may not have been a marquee matchup, NJIT's dominant performance will certainly give them momentum heading into their next contest. As for Bryant, they must bounce back quickly and find a way to get their offense and defense clicking in tandem if they hope to turn their season around. The loss will be a tough pill to swallow, but it's a valuable learning experience for the young Bulldogs team. With the college basketball season heating up, every game counts, and NJIT's win will be a crucial addition to their resume.