Box Score Newark, NJ – The University of Maine men's basketball team were defeated by the NJIT Highlanders on Saturday afternoon, 65-50.
 
The Highlanders jumped out to a slim lead in the early going as they got up three points heading into the first media timeout of the night, a 11-8 lead. The NCAA leader in steals, Kellen Tynes, registered a pair of steals for the Black Bears in the first 5:23 of the contest.
 
The Black Bears came out of the media timeout and grabbed their first lead of the contest at 12-11, capping off an extended 6-0 run. Kellen Tynes (4) and Peter Filipovity (2) contributed points during the run.
 
Maine built their lead up to five points at 16-11, continuing the scoring run to 9-0 before NJIT had an answer, a layup by Raheim Sullivan.
 
The Highlanders went on a mini-run of their own, a 5-0 spurt that led to a tied contest at 16-16 with 7:58 remaining in the first half.
 
NJIT took control of the first half for the final few minutes as they pushed back into the lead with 5:02 remaining in the half. Following a made free throw by Jaden Clayton for the Black Bears, NJIT went on another 6-0 run to have a 7-point lead at 26-19 with 2:33 remaining after the final media timeout.
 
NJIT increased their lead heading into the break as they held a 29-21 advantage at the half.
 
Jaden Clayton led the Black Bears in scoring and rebounds in the first half as he had seven points and three rebounds.
 
Kellen Tynes went into the half with six points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals.
 
Kjell de Graaf led all scorers in the first half as he had nine points for the Highlanders.
 
The Highlanders came out in the second half and nearly doubled their lead over the 3:32 of the half as they pushed the score to 38-23.
 
The Black Bears struggled to find any rhythm in the second half as NJIT continued to slowly build on their lead.
 
Maine got their defense going late in the second half as they forced 11 second half turnovers, leading to 16 points off of turnovers in just the second half.
 
The Black Bears ended up taking the loss on the afternoon against NJIT, 65-50.
 
Kellen Tynes led the Black bears in scoring of the afternoon as he finished with 14 points on seven of 13 shooting from the field. He brought in four rebounds and had four steals.
Jaden Clayton finished with nine points and three steals.
 
Maine (10-15, 4-8 AE) have Wednesday off this coming week before returning to The Pit as they will welcome at UAlbany Great Danes on Saturday, Feb. 18. That game is scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M.
 
-UMaine-