NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and offensive inefficiency, the Sacred Heart Pioneers methodically dispatched the NJIT Highlanders 65-49 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Fleisher Athletic Center.

Sacred Heart, which never trailed, improved to 4-6. NJIT dropped to 4-8.

The most critical phase of the contest came early, as Sacred Heart established a defensive tone that NJIT could never overcome. The Highlanders opened the game with a scoring drought that spanned nearly three minutes and set a pattern of frigid shooting that persisted for 40 minutes. NJIT finished the game shooting just 28.3% from the floor and 20.7% from three-point range. Their offensive rating of 75.8 points per 100 possessions underscored a afternoon of profound struggle.

Sacred Heart was not markedly more efficient, shooting 42.9% overall, but its defense created just enough separation. The Pioneers forced 10 turnovers while committing only eight and held a 32-22 advantage in points in the paint. A key sequence late in the first half effectively sealed the outcome. Leading 21-16, Sacred Heart closed the period on a 7-2 run, capped by a Dashon Gittens layup with 36 seconds remaining, to take a 28-24 lead into halftime. That margin felt substantial given the game’s defensive nature.

The Pioneers then opened the second half with decisive action. After an NJIT three-pointer cut the lead to one, Sacred Heart responded with a 9-2 spurt, pushing its advantage to 37-29 and forcing a Highlanders timeout. NJIT would never get closer than six points the rest of the way, as their shooting woes continued. The Highlanders managed only 25 points in the second half.

Sacred Heart was led by a double-double from Dashon Gittens. The Hartford, Connecticut, guard played 34 minutes, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to go with three assists and a block. His activity on both ends was pivotal. Nyle Ralph-Beyer of West Chester, Pennsylvania, provided the primary scoring punch with a game-high 21 points, including three three-pointers. Anquan Hill of Philadelphia added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Jaden Slaughter of Buffalo, New York, contributed nine points and eight rebounds.

For NJIT, Ari Fulton of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was the lone Highlander in double figures with 11 points and seven rebounds. The team’s offensive difficulties were highlighted by a mere three assists against 10 turnovers, and they managed only six points off Sacred Heart’s eight giveaways.

The game drew an announced crowd of 816. Sacred Heart next travels to face Massachusetts-Lowell on Tuesday. NJIT’s next contest is at Butler on Dec. 22.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Sacred Heart had a 65.7% probability to win pregame. The Pioneers covered the spread as 5.5-point favorites. The total score of 114 fell well under the over/under line of 151.5, a direct result of the game’s grinding defensive pace and poor shooting.